BY MWANAHABARI REPORTER
Kenyans willing to buy grounded planes can finally do so – and at the price of a simple song. This is after the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) which has announced an auction of 73 uncollected junk aircraft stalled at its four main airports.
The planes – most of them dead junk – will cost buyers as low as KSh 5,000 – and many Kenyans are already lining to at least own a plane – even if it means parking the giant metal next to their homes.
Others like Linet Achieng – said she will try and buy a junk plane which she will then turn into a restaurant.
“I am definitely going to buy one or two grounded planes. I have some Ksh10,000 which I can use to buy two aircrafts. I want to establish a restaurant in Nairobi and Kisumu,” said Linet.
The Kenya Airports Authority made the announcement through a public notice – informing kenyans of the impending action of 73 uncollected junk aircrafts.
Owners defaulted on payment
The notice read in part: “Kenya Airports Authority invites interested bidders for Public Auction of Uncollected Junk Aircraft (KAA) at Kenya Airports Authority.
The auction will be run between November 17 and 22.
In August, KAA has announced plans to auction 101 planes in various airports to recover accumulated parking fees after their owners defaulted on payments.
KAA gave the owners 30 days to claim their aircraft, failure to which the planes will be auctioned as KAA moves to declare the planes a safety risk.
The planes include some owned by commercial flight operators and others owned by politicians and wealthy businessmen.
Plane parking fees
KAA said it would not spare aircraft belonging to state agencies like the Kenya Police, Moi University, and Somalia Air force.
KAA has set parking fees for Large aircraft at Ksh2,707 in airports like Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
The planes also pay Ksh 63,355 to landing fee during the day and Ksh 76,000 during night.
However, small planes pay Ksh1,625 for parking fees per day and Ksh 24,150 landing fee during the day and Ksh 29,000 to land at night.