By Samuel Mbote
Published March 4, 2023
Kenya Association of Air Operators (KAAO) and Kenya’s Ministry of Transport have agreed to work together in developing the National Aviation Policy which is to set the tone for Kenya as an integrated aviation hub to cater for all air operators, approved training organizations (ATOs), approved maintenance organizations (AMOs), hot air balloon operators, and remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) operators.
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KAAO also reiterated that the increasing number of taxes are negatively impacting the aviation sector in Kenya with the country standing out as the only State in the world levying several taxes on aircraft, spare parts and aviation fuel.
Kenya’s aviation sector not only contributes an estimated US$1.5 Billion to the GDP comprising US$740 Million directly, US$515 Million through indirect activities down the supply chain and US$294 Million from employees’ and stakeholders spending but also generates 26 000 jobs directly, 104 000 indirectly and 59 000 more induced.
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Liz Aluvanze, KAAO Chief Executive Officer, said such measures were making the local industry noncompetitive and unsustainable amid a surge in global and regional competition.
“This has led to a worrying decline in the development and growth of the sector resulting in job losses, migration of maintenance activities to neighbouring states, decline of Kenya as a regional hub and overall decrease in revenue for the operators and government.”
KAAO also proposed that the government, as a matter of priority, make the development of strategic airports and aerodromes based on demand and revenue generation channels to make them sustainable. The industry lobby group also called for improvement of infrastructure in airports around the country including expansion of runways to ease congestion, new terminal buildings, reconstruction of pavements and aeronautical ground lighting and development of parking silos and business parks. KAAO says this will help secure existing business and enable them to grow further.
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“We are glad that we have open communication channels between KAAO and the Government. We purpose to cultivate a symbiotic relationship in order to achieve a safe, efficient, sustainable and economically viable aviation industry,” Aluvanzesuch noted at a meeting attended by Transport Minister Onesmus Kipchumba Murkomen and Permanent Secretary Mohammed Daghar.
“The aviation industry has immense potential which, if exhaustively harnessed, will make Kenya an aviation hub and a force in the global market. We particularly recognize the important role the aviation sector plays in the tourism and horticulture sectors hence the need for an all stakeholder led approach in policy making and infrastructure development prioritization,” Murkomen said in response to the issues raised by KAAO.
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