Uganda calls for an end to KQ monopoly to Kampala
A Kenya Airways Boeing 777-300ER at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Uganda is demanding an end to the monopoly enjoyed by national carrier Kenya Airways (KQ) on the Kampala-Nairobi route. PHOTO | DIANA NGILA |
What you need to know:
- During the 7th Summit, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and South Sudan had committed to ensure that the single airspace is in place by end of 2015.
- According to timelines travellers within the East African bloc might from next year enjoy easier and cheaper movement of cargo and passengers.
Uganda is demanding an end to the monopoly enjoyed by national carrier Kenya Airways (KQ) on the Kampala-Nairobi route, saying it is costing travellers from the country dearly after its national carrier was suspended in June for failure to meet basic safety aviation requirements.
During the 8th North Corridor Integration Projects Summit held last week in Nairobi, Uganda and south Sudan complained of the “high fares” charged by Kenya Airways, which has been enjoying monopoly for some time.
The summit was hosted by President Uhuru Kenyatta and attended by presidents Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Paul Kagame of Rwanda at the Safari Park Hotel. The summit was also attended by representatives from South Sudan, Tanzania, Burundi and Ethiopia, which sent a special envoy.
As a result of the complaint, the heads of state directed that the formation of a single airspace be fast-tracked to facilitate seamless and cheaper movement of cargo and passengers in the region.
“The MoU we have signed is significant development as we now have single airspace that comprises four states. The bloc of countries will now go into specifics of management of the airspace and the air travel fares,” said Louise Muhikiwabo, Rwanda’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Co-operation.
The push for a single airspace has been on the agenda of East African regional integration, having also featured in the 7th heads of state Summit. But the matter has gained urgency after Uganda and South Sudan complained.
During the 7th Summit, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and South Sudan had committed to ensure that the single airspace is in place by end of 2015.
The heads of state directed the minister of infrastructure of Rwanda to convene an airline industry stakeholders meeting to finalise the 5th freedom traffic rights on Entebbe- Nairobi-Juba-Nairobi by end of this month to address outstanding issues. He is to report to the next Summit in February in Kigali, Rwanda.
The new development means the airspace in the region will be opened up for more airlines to introduce competition with the ultimate objective of reducing the air travel fares.
According to timelines travellers within the East African bloc might from next year enjoy easier and cheaper movement of cargo and passengers.
