From AllAfrica

Safaricom set up a temporary base station at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to reopen communication channels as other businesses were still trying to quantify losses incurred following the inferno that destroyed the international arrivals area.

The largest mobile service network in the country however did not disclose the cost of the repairs that were done yesterday which included replacing indoor communication solutions and cabling to sustain airport operations as both international and domestic flights resumed gradually.

“The voice traffic has gone up significantly because of the concentration of people in that area,” said Safaricom’s director of corporate affairs Nzioka Waita.

“It is a big operation but we had to do it for our won business continuity and to support the emergency services.”

According to a statement issued by the government, cargo flights were also scheduled to resume to operate on schedules between 10 pm and 6am which is the peak time for fresh produce exports.

Kenya Flower Council CEO Jane Ngige said the disruption grounded exports amounting to 300 tons of various types of cut flowers destined for Europe with 65 percent of these set aside for Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Car hiring firm Harmonie cabs and tours said it had suffered cancellations from clients after the early morning blaze as flights remained grounded for the better part of Wednesday thereby shrinking orders for airport drop offs and pickups.

National Bank’s branch on the public side of the arrivals lobby was completely destroyed.

Read more at AllAfrica.