Domestic traffic for Air Passengers rises by 12pc – KCAA

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 29-The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority says there is an increase in passenger traffic at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport with 12 per cent growth in domestic passengers and 7.6 per cent in international travelers.

Findings released by the authority’s Director General Gilbert Kibe attributed the growth to the introduction of low-cost carriers as well as the efficient airspace management.

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“To better regulate air safety in Kenya, we are reviewing and reorganizing our organizational structure with a view to upscale and enhance our capacity and position to oversight the expanding Aviation Industry,” he said.

Kibe says the authority is now working on formulating regulations to govern the use of drones in the Kenyan airspace, with assurance that the process will be completed soon. 

“We assure to appeal to the committee to approve drone operations to go on in the next few months,” he said.

Kenya commands an estimated 80 percent market share in Aviation within East African region and has over 70 air operators.

According to the Authority safety measures have been enforced through certification, licensing, authorization and approvals and enforcement as guided by the Act and associated regulations.

Kibe stated the Kenya’s airspace safe and secure for travel during the festivities.

In the financial year 2018/2019 Kenya had a total number of 1,547 registered Aircraft and over 10,500 licensed aviation personnel this resulted to an acceleration in support service from 5 per cent in 2017 to 8 per cent as per the economic survey.

During the year passenger numbers grew by 9.5 per cent to reach 12.073 million during the financial year compared to 11.022 million last year.

Transit traffic also increased by 8 per cent, while freight increased by 11 per cent this year.