LANDINGS at and takeoffs from Moi International Airport in Mombassa will remain operational during the day, but closed at night following a power hitch caused by damaged electricity cables on the runway, Kenya Airports Authority announced yesterday.

KAA managing director George Muhoho said two wires, which burnt have disrupted visibility along the runway at night. Addressing the press, Muhoho, however, said the installation of temporary electric cables has started and promised that night flights may resume soon. He said the electric cables suffered damage most likely due to heavy rains that hit the airport two days ago. Muhoho also lamented that some of the underground cables have been in use for more that seven years and that might have led to the damage.

On Sunday, hundreds of passengers were stranded in Mombassa and Nairobi following the closure of the runway. The MD has, however, said the problem is under control. The airport manager Yatich Kagogo attended the press briefing.

A statement from the authority's co-operate affairs department in Nairobi said every effort to resolve the power tripping problem affecting the runway lighting was being pursued in order to resume normal operations.

The corporate affairs manager Dominic Ngigi expressed regret to those involved for the inconvenience caused. A short circuit led to power fai lure on the runway on Saturday forcing authorities to close the airport.

At the time the airport was closed, at least three flights were preparing to leave for Nairobi while one was to land from Nairobi. The Moi International Airport based in Mombasa has a handling capacity of two million passengers per annum and is the gate way to the booming coastal tourism industry.