Bill seeks to make local airspace safer
A Kenya army helicopter from Moi International Airbase in Mombasa patrols the Coast region airspace. Pilots, crew and airport staff will also be required to apply for an aviation personnel certificate as clearance before working in any of the country’s airports. PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- It seeks to require the KCCA boss to have not less than 10 years experience in civil aviation and skills to conduct investigations into safety issues.
- The Garissa Town MP said the Bill would ensure the local industry is aligned to changes to the Convention on International Civil Aviation.
A new Bill seeks to introduce radical airport security measures, including “unhindered” inspection of aeroplanes landing in the country, to improve passenger safety and avert possible acts of terrorism.
The Civil Aviation (Amendment) Bill, tabled by Leader of Majority Aden Duale in the National Assembly last week, introduces clauses that empower the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) director-general to inspect any aircraft, aerodromes, premises and documents.
It seeks to require the KCCA boss to have not less than 10 years experience in civil aviation and skills to conduct investigations into safety issues.
Pilots, crew and airport staff will also be required to apply for an aviation personnel certificate as clearance before working in any of the country’s airports.
“KCAA is also obligated to put in place measures of assistance to aircraft in distress within Kenya and establish search and rescue to render assistance as may be required by any aircraft missing or in distress within the territory of Kenya,” the Bill reads.
Airport security is a sensitive and preferred target of terrorists with security breaches in airports having led to attacks.
The Garissa Town MP said the Bill would ensure the local industry is aligned to changes to the Convention on International Civil Aviation.
Apart from making the authority financially independent by allowing it to use air passenger service charges and landing fees to fund its operations, there is a proposal to reconstitute the board to provide for independence in its decision-making.
According to the Bill, greater independence by the board will address the issue of conflict of interest by the board when considering issues within its mandate and serves to criminalise failure to disclose information by a member.
Other proposals include stringent measures for pilots flying within Kenyan airspace — such as carrying certificates.
It criminalises false or misleading markings on an aircraft to disguise nationality or registration and prohibits flying of drones or unmanned aircraft without “special authorisation from the Authority”.
