The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has announced plans to increase the fees for services rendered to airlines and other players by an average 90 per cent besides introducing a safety and security charge of Sh134 (US$2) for every international passenger leaving the country.
Passengers on domestic flights will pay Sh50 per ticket of departure while departing cargo will attract a safety fee of Sh67 (US$1) per tonne, according to the Business Daily Africa.
The authority also wants to change the method of levying airlines for use of air navigation services to incorporate the weight of the aircraft and the distance covered.
“Given the nature of traffic using Kenya’s airspace that is characterized by huge differences in the weights of aircraft and distance covered in the Flight Information Region (FIR), it would be appropriate to use a method that combines both the elements for the charges,” the report said.
Kenya Airways which has more flights than any other airline through the airport is said to be pushing for concessions from the authority and has already introduced a new screening charge for air freight cargo users of Sh1.34 per kg.
Previously the airline screened 100 per cent of the cargo carried in its flights free of charge. In addition, a security surcharge of Sh3.35 per kgs is being levied on exports to finance screening and other security measures.
Mr David Mureithi, the Kenya Shipping Council chairman, said introduction of new charges at a time when Kenya’s exports are facing new environmental taxes in European and American markets will only make the country’s exports expensive and uncompetitive.
Cargo importers have been appealing for the Transport ministry’s intervention to stop Kenya Airways from introducing the surcharge.