The government is set to deploy modern technology at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to allow the scanning of vehicles with passengers on board.
Speaking on Tuesday, Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen said that the new measures are meant to improve the customer experience and improve efficiency.
While on a tour of the airport alongside Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) officials, the CS revealed that the government would install modern screen technology at the main gate to enhance security.
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“Airlines will be required to upgrade their ticket printing to avoid long queues. We shall also deploy technology in the Advance Passenger Information (APS) system to provide prior information on passengers for more efficiency and enhanced security,” Murkomen said.
Through the use of the new technology, the CS said that passengers will no longer have to alight from the vehicles to be screened in a separate room during arrival.
“We want passengers to be screened in motion save for vehicles suspected to have suspicious materials…because what is happening here does not happen in other parts of the world. We will procure the latest equipment,” he added.
The technological move is aimed at reducing the recent rise in complaints from customers and passengers using JKIA. “We want to reduce the time spent by a customer or a passenger at the airport from the time they enter and board a plane and the time they land and exit,” Murkomen said.
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He further disclosed that technology will be used to facilitate self-checking by passengers to speed up movement. He went on to say that the airport charter will soon be signed and expressed his regrets for the delays as the charter was drafted 10 years and it has not been operationalized.
“The airport charter will bring together Immigration, Customs, Kenya Airport Police Unit (KAPU), Port Health, the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) & other Government Agencies at the airport under the leadership of Kenya Airports Authourity,” he said.
As part of improving the customer experience, the government will improve on constructing comfortable seating areas, providing free Wi-Fi and installing more charging ports at the airport.
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