The International Air Transport Association (Iata) has advised the Kenyan government to ensure that red tape and heavy fees don’t hold back the country’s aviation industry from experiencing larger growth.
“By adopting policies that ensure a competitive operating environment for the airlines, Kenya could reap even greater dividends from aviation,” said Iata regional vice president for the Middle East and Africa, Muhammad Ali Albakri.
The air transport industry was shown to be vital to Kenya’s economy in a new study conducted by Oxford Economics on behalf of Iata. The study showed that the industry had facilitated over US$10 billion in exports and around US$4.4 billion in foreign direct investment within the country, as well as contributing 5.1% of Kenya’s GDP (gross domestic product).
However Iata believes that this could be substantially higher if the country focuses on making sure that taxes and charges are less steep. Albakri added that the association was encouraged by efforts currently being undertaken by the Kenya Airports Authority to review airport charges downwards.
