KENYA AVIATION INDUSTRY EXPLAINED

Introduction

Aviation is one of the least understood industries in most parts of Africa. In Kenya, for example, a mention of the words aviation or airplane to most people, automatically relates to Kenya Airways.

This misconception is so widespread to the extent that even media houses have found themselves under criticism from the aviation community for publishing inaccurate information with regards to aviation.

We went out on the streets of Embakasi’s Pipeline, Tassia and Utawala; which are located just in the backyard of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, with the aim of establishing how residents here understand the aviation industry. My colleague interviewed 22 individuals who he asked to name atleast three airlines. Three managed, with the rest only mentioning Kenya Airways.

The industry

Aviation industry in Kenya comprises mainly of three parties. These are The Aviation authority (KCAA), the Airports authority (KAA) and the Airlines.

KCAA

This is the body which regulates all aviation activities. It is this body that is charged with the responsibility of licensing and approving All airlines and aircrafts operating within the Kenyan territory, airline staff, and any equipment or material used within the aviation industry.

KAA

This can be considered the ‘Landlord’ of all civil airports and airstrips in kenya, except those registered as private airstrips. Examples of these airports include; Moi International Airport (Mombasa), Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Nairobi), and Wilson Airport (Nairobi). Click on the url below to see the full list on wikipedia

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_airports_in_Kenya

Any civil aircraft operating on these airports pays a fee to the Airport authority; and any individual working within the vicinity of the airport must obtain a special access permit from them.

AIRLINE

This can be a private company or a public limited company. An example of airlines in Kenya include; Kenya Airways, Bluebird aviation, Astral aviation, Fly 540, Skyward express, African Express Airways, etc. (Click on the below link to check out the full list on wikipedia. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_airlines_of_Kenya)

The airline is basically a company offering air transport services. These can be charter flights, commercial passenger or cargo flights, aerial services or airlift services for medical purposes.

All these airlines are licensed and regulated by KCAA and they all pay a fee to KAA (the landlord of the airports) so they can land and park their aircrafts at the airports.