Closed air policy chokes Africa’s aviation
PHOTO | SALATON NJAU The Kenya Airways Dreamliner B787 on touchdown at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) during the official reception in Nairobi on April 5, 2014.
What you need to know:
- African Airlines Association secretary general Elijah Chingosho on Thursday said 80 per cent of airline traffic is from outside the continent.
- Kenya Civil Aviation Authority corporate communications manager Mutia Mwandikwa said if countries open their skies to African airlines, there will be tremendous growth.
Africa’s aviation industry is being crippled by closed air policies and visa requirements by respective nations.
African Airlines Association secretary general Elijah Chingosho on Thursday said 80 per cent of airline traffic is from outside the continent.
“African airlines account for 20 per cent of traffic to and from Africa which is a major concern,” he said in Nairobi.
Mr Chingosho said some governments favour non-African airlines at the expense of those on the continent.
LEVEL PLAYING GROUND
“For example in Angola, Kenya Airways flies there twice a week, Ethiopian flies only three times though we prefer to go there every day. Emirates which is non-African flies there every day. We are urging governments to give all airlines a level ground to so they compete fairly,” he said.
Kenya Civil Aviation Authority corporate communications manager Mutia Mwandikwa said if countries open their skies to African airlines, there will be tremendous growth.
“Some countries have however opened up their skies but there is more that needs to be done to increase the profitability from the aviation business in Africa,” said Mr Mwandikwa.
