Kenyan aviation stakeholders back ratification of air services agreements with 18 countries

Kenyan aviation stakeholders back ratification of air services agreements with 18 countries - Kenyan aviation stakeholders during a meeting with the National Assembly’s Transport and Infrastructure Committee. (Photo: FB/Parliament of Kenya)

The agreements are also intended to increase the frequency of passenger and cargo flights and allow airlines to exercise fifth freedom traffic rights, subject to approval by the relevant aviation authorities.

Aviation stakeholders have backed the ratification of Bilateral Air Services Agreements between Kenya and 18 countries, saying the deals would open new markets and expand passenger and cargo services.

During a meeting with the National Assembly’s Transport and Infrastructure Committee, chaired by Ndia MP George Kariuki, industry players called for the ratification process to be completed, saying the agreements would give Kenyan airlines access to more destinations within and outside Africa.

The agreements are also intended to increase the frequency of passenger and cargo flights and allow airlines to exercise fifth freedom traffic rights, subject to approval by the relevant aviation authorities.

Supporters of the proposals included the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), Kenya Association of Air Operators (KAAO), the State Department for Aviation and Aerospace Development, and airline operators Kenya Airways and Safarilink.

The stakeholders confirmed that they had taken part in the negotiations and urged the Committee to help bring the process to a close. Each organisation expressed support for the approval of the agreements.

In its submission, KAA told legislators that developing air services was part of its mandate and that strong bilateral agreements were needed to support the growth of the sector.

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Kenya Airways representative Isaac Mwangi also backed the proposals, noting that the airline had been involved in the initial negotiations.

“Members, we are one of the stakeholders that participated in the initial negotiations. Today’s agenda is one we have been part of, and we support the completion of the project,” he said.

A representative of KCAA also called on the Committee to support the agreements, saying they would help Kenyan airlines reach more markets around the world.

“We strongly support the ratification of these agreements between Kenya and 18 other states; this will open us to new markets in the world. Thank you, Members,” the representative said.

The meeting also highlighted the performance of Africa’s aviation industry, with stakeholders pointing to strong passenger traffic and better operational efficiency across the sector.

They attributed the industry’s positive performance to the opening of new routes, improved links between destinations and rising demand for both domestic and international air travel.

However, legislators raised concerns over the challenges involved in repatriating taxes collected by airlines in foreign countries.

Ethiopia was cited as a country with strict rules that make it difficult for Kenya to bring home revenue collected from its aviation operations. The Committee noted that Ethiopian airlines faced fewer challenges when repatriating taxes collected in Kenya.

The carbon tax was also identified as a concern because of the additional costs it places on businesses operating in the aviation industry.

Committee member and Limuru MP Engineer John Kiragu urged stakeholders to keep working on solutions to the challenges facing the aviation sector across Africa.

He questioned who stood to benefit from the agreements and called for measures to make air travel between neighbouring African countries more affordable.

“My question would be, who are we ratifying for, who are the beneficiaries of this exercise? Some of the rules have made it expensive to travel across neighbouring countries in Africa; air mobility should be made affordable. I therefore support this ratification,” he said.

The countries listed in the agreements are Cabo Verde, Oman, Algeria, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Luxembourg, Somalia, Iceland, Dominican Republic, Russian Federation, Guinea, United Kingdom, South Korea, Morocco, Poland, Haiti, Algeria and Swaziland.

Committee Chairperson MP Kariuki assured the stakeholders that legislators would consider the concerns raised and prepare a document for debate in Parliament.