For the economy to soar, aviation must fly

The role of the aviation industry in catalysing and facilitating Kenya’s economic development came into sharp focus during a workshop held early this week.

Convened by the Ministry of Transport at Kenya Airways Pride Centre on February 2, and presided over by Deputy President William Ruto, the Workshop on Growth and Development of Aviation was a watershed in more ways than one.

For starters, it was the first such meeting specific to the sector. The fact that it had tacit support, involvement and participation by the government and the private sector made it all the more special.

There was strong representation from the government, both national and county, headlined by the strong presence of cabinet secretaries, principal secretaries and governors, heads of state corporations and industry leaders.

The workshop was evidence of the importance this government attaches to the aviation industry. Not that this is a truism that needs much propping from any of us, anyway.

With its contribution to Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), both directly and indirectly, valued at a material 10 per cent; and with some 50,000 living on jobs provided by the sector, aviation’s critical role in our economy cannot be gainsaid.

As Kenya aspires to and actively seeks the type of sustained 10 pc GDP growth that is required to move this country to middle income status by 2030, an efficient and seamless transport system is necessary.

KEY COMPONENT

Aviation is a key component of any country’s overall transport equation and works together with other forms of conveyance such as roads, railways and waterways to create what should ideally be a seamless, robust and versatile system.

In spite of this realisation, the full potential of aviation as a strategic enabler and aid to trade and social interchange in Kenya has been under-developed and grossly under-utilised.

A better developed and more efficient aviation sector is thus a major opportunity not just for higher growth of economy but also employment.

A key recommendation was the need to develop and adopt a national strategy and policy framework to ensure a coherent and harmonised approach to the development of the aviation sector in Kenya.

This would ensure that all concerned government agencies together with the private sector share the same vision and work in tandem.

The deliverables to be monitored were captured in a communique issued at the end of the workshop.

As a start key players and stakeholders committed to ensure that the sector is optimally resourced in terms of security both on land and in the skies, and further strict adherence to existing regulation would be closely monitored.

ENHANCED COLLABORATION

The decision to promote and support Jomo Kenyatta International Airport as the African aviation hub of choice presents a great opportunity to national carrier Kenya Airways whose overall strategy for Africa hinges on this fulcrum.

As is the norm worldwide, a policy that requires public officials to fly Kenyan-registered carriers whenever they are on official duty using public funds will be issued.

The workshop recommended enhanced collaboration between aviators and institutions of higher learning so as to improve the stock of human resources available.

The government was challenged to come up with fiscal incentives that would encourage investment in the sector, while pursuing partnerships with regional peers.

The workshop addressed the urgent need for environmental management practices to ensure safety and security at airports. Issues relating to dumpsites that attract birds close to airports were singled out for immediate attention.

Visa processing and the attendant costs continue to present a major challenge for visitors and passengers transiting through to Kenya from certain countries.

The meeting stressed the need to simplify visa processing and reduce visa fees to make Kenya, and by extension JKIA, a favourable destination for visitors.

Perhaps the most important message coming from the workshop is the need for all players in the industry to act in concert to ensure aviation in Kenya achieves its full potential and operates at the highest levels of efficiency, to underwrite the best customer experience for passengers.

Engineer Michael Kamau is the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure