Passenger numbers grows by 9.5pc in 2018/19, says KCAA

Higher growth in the domestic market and introduction of low cost carriers helped drive the growth of the passenger numbers by 9.5 percent in financial year 2018/19.

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority says passengers using air transport jumped to 12.1 million from 11 million people in the same fiscal year.

The Authority has said it plans to reorganize its operational structures to make it more efficient and robust.

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has come under intense pressure following a series on air incidents involving domestic carriers resulting to a confidence crisis in the local aviation industry.

Get breaking news on your Mobile as-it-happens. SMS ‘NEWS’ to 20153

The authority says it is engaging the Kenya Airports Authority to improve the infrastructure capacity of local airports and airstrips.

KCAA says it has received the nod from the head of public service to recruit more air operators since the aviation regulator is facing a severe shortage of qualified operators.

The authority employs around 70 air operators despite a workload demand of close to 200.

In the financial year 2018/19, the air transport industry registered a growth rate of 7.8 percent despite a gloomy economic environment.

On the regulation of the unmanned flying vehicles popularly referred to as drones, the authority says it has not granted any license to operate them in the Kenyan airspace.

Efforts by KCAA to license drones were thwarted by members of parliament mid this year, with legislators accusing the regulator of failing to involve the public in drafting the regulations.

Tell Us What You Think