New Shuttle Bus Service to Moi International Airport
Coastweek - - A colourful ceremony to mark the launch of a new Airport Shuttle Bus Service took place on Friday morning in the well manicured grounds of Mombasa's Moi International Airport.
A large crowd of airport officials and staff joined the celebrations with other well wishers to thank the Bus owner and Manager for starting the new service.
Mombasa Airport has been without a bus service for many years and this has been a great inconvenience to all airport users and workers and the atmosphere was one of genuine relief and pleasure as many users have been forced to walk to work.
Assistant Airport Manager Vincent Imamai introduced the bus owner Abdalla Almaery of Jihan Freighters and his management team.
The good news for everyone was that the 50 seat bus will with immediate effect operate hourly every day of the week from Likoni Terminus to the Airport.
Kenya airports Authority have always refused permission for matutus to enter the airport and this has left all airport users without any public means of transport.
Also invited to speak and to wave off the first bus service was John Cleave of Mombasa Air Safari in his capacity as Chairman of the Airline Operators Committee.
Speaking on behalf of all the AOC members Cleave extended a welcome to the new airport manager Yetich Magungo and to wish John Mugo, the recently relocated former manager best wishes in his new role as manager of Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta Airport which faces a major overhaul as one of Africa's busiest international aviation hubs.
John Cleave mentioned the need for airport security personnel to remain constantly alert to security concerns but to also provide for a smooth passage for the new bus service.
Speaking on behalf of KATO, the Kenya Association of Tour Operators and to all tourism related stakeholders through MCTA, the Mombasa and Coast Tourism Association:
He reminded all airport workers that today tourism is recognised as a major contributor to the Kenyan economy and this has now been well recognised not only by all responsible politicians, the Treasury and the Cabinet but also by wananchi throughout Kenya.
Every tourist arriving in Kenya represents value to Kenyans in all areas of Kenya as tourists are major consumers of a wide range of products and services.
Known as the 'multiplier effect', the benefits are felt by direct and indirect employment as well as consumption of services.
The tourist is everyone's friend.
Cleave pointed out that international visitors arriving at the coast, represent 50 per cent of all tourist arrivals into Kenya that stay in hotels and book safaris.
This was a significant percentage of an important segment and they all arrived at Moi International Airport which is the only gateway at the coast.
The first impression they receive of Kenya and Kenyans is therefore at the airport.
He urged all airport workers from Police, Customs, Immigration, Security, Accounts, Airlines, Taxis and Bus operators to be friendly, courteous and helpful to our overseas visitors and treat them as honoured guests.
Amid much applause the bus was flagged of for an honoury tour off the airport.
