Kenya drags feet in ratifying deal for direct flights to Brazil

BrazAfric Enterprises Ltd Managing Director Marcos Brandalise (left), Brazilian Ambassador to Kenya Marcela Nicodemos (centre) and the head of the trade section, Ms Victoria Balthar, listen to questions from journalists on May 27, 2015 in Nairobi. SALATON NJAU |

What you need to know:

  • Kenya Civil Aviation Authority Corporate Communications Manager Mutia Mwandikwa said the fact that all the agreements have to be ratified by Parliament, had slowed down implementations of such agreements.
  • Kenya Civil Aviation Authority Corporate Communications Manager Mutia Mwandikwa said the fact that all the agreements have to be ratified by Parliament, had slowed down implementations of such agreements.
  • A similar agreement to allow Kenyan direct flights to the US has been dragged by both legislative procedures and pending aviation-related recommendations that are yet to be met.

Kenya is yet to ratify an agreement signed with Brazil in 2010 that would have made it possible for airlines in the two countries to initiate direct flights.

Brazil Ambassador to Kenya Marcela Nicodemos Thursday said the deal that has been ratified by his government is meant to increase competitive edge of Kenya Airways while boosting trade between the two countries.

“It has taken quite some time to have the agreement ratified here and with it a huge potential for business has been held because Brazil is seriously focused on the new markets in the East African region. We hope it will be completed soon because Kenyan airlines had expressed interest earlier,” said Ms Nicodemos.

Ethiopian Air currently flies from Kenya to Brazil through Addis Ababa. If ratified, flights from Kenya will go directly to Sao Paulo, a flight that takes about 11 hours.

SLOWED DOWN IMPLEMENTATION

Kenya Civil Aviation Authority Corporate Communications Manager Mutia Mwandikwa said the fact that all the agreements have to be ratified by Parliament, had slowed down implementations of such agreements.

“It takes quite some time, given that Parliament has a number of issues before it and the regulations require that the agreements must be ratified by Parliament,” he said.

A similar agreement to allow Kenyan direct flights to the US has been dragged by both legislative procedures and pending aviation-related recommendations that are yet to be met.

Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) missed the 80 per cent pass mark in the International Civil Aviation (ICAO) audit done in April. The country is also required to amend the Civil Aviation Act of 2013 to meet specifications.

Brazil exports to Kenya were valued at Sh5.4 billion, while Kenyan exports to Brazil stood at Sh145 million last year.