AIRLINES OBJECT THE INCREASED NAVIGATION FEES

The Ministry of Transport in Kenya has told the local, Kenya Civil aviation Authority (KCAA and international airline operators to form a committee to decide on the increased air navigation charges introduced last year.

The Operators said if the charges do not decline, the country’s international and domestic airline travel will be the most expensive in the East African region therefore reducing its competitiveness as a regional center.

The director of Air Transport Nicholas Bodo said they should come up with real and sensible solutions. The operators have said the increased percentage of the charges be transferred to passengers if the new charges do not change and the airlines have asked the government to develop aviation services in the country in the country.

The aviation authority had used hours to charge the navigation fee but has now changed to weight and distance for every flight which will affect the airlines’ profits.

Mbuvi Ngunze, the chief operating officer of Kenya Airways said the increased charges may affect the airline competitiveness mostly with airlines like Ethiopia Airlines in Ethiopia because the government of Ethiopia finances its national airline which leads to reduction on operational costs.

Mr. Ngunze said the charges will affect the competitiveness abroad especially in countries where they do not exist which is a weight on airlines as profits reduce.

KQ said due to the rise in fuel prices, the political instability in Egypt and Nigeria and the European crisis will lead to a reduction in revenue in 2012.

According to the operators, passenger flights and cargo had a tax including security maintenance met by the charges which the airline does not want to affect because it will bring harmful competition.

The increase in charges is more compared to other East African countries and it will give the area an impact during coordination of aviation industry operations.

Charges for Nairobi to Kisumu airport increased to $154 yet the same distance in Tanzania is $60 and according to the airlines, the government has refused to finance KCCA leaving the airlines with a big challenge in fulfilling the order.