Kenyan Aviation Sector Records 17.5pc Decline in Cargo Volume

Kenya’s aviation industry has recorded a 17.5 percent cargo decline between 2012 to 2016 besides maintaining a positive growth trend posting a 6.2 per cent increase in passenger traffic.

Data from Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) shows that Jomo Kenyatta International Airport registered 255 tonnes in 2016 compared to 309 tonnes in 2012.

The aircraft traffic movement (ATM) at JKIA increased to reach over 322,504 aircraft as of 2016 compared to 306,366 in 2012 resulting into 5.3 percent increase. The safety compliance level has constantly remained at 78.40 percent in the entire period.

Intentions aimed at meeting the current demand and provide future growth has focused on upgrading and expanding the infrastructure. Initially this was through the proposed Greenfield Terminal (GFT) which aimed at increasing capacity of JKIA from the current 6 million passengers per year to about 20 million passengers annually by the year 2030, but was cancelled.

“The cancellation of the Greenfield project at JKIA was neither a result of conservative outlook on the economy of Kenya nor a bearish attitude towards investment in airport infrastructure from the side of government,” said Irungu Nyakera, Principal Secretary, State Department for Transport.

“Instead, it was the realisation that result of the investment in the refurbishment of the terminals that will provide sufficient capacity for JKIA at least in the short to medium term forecast,” he added.

Sanjeev Gadhia, Chief Executive, Astral Aviation Ltd, Africa flight Services Terminal at JKIA says Kenya’s JKIA is ranked 3rd in Cargo capacity in Africa with a capacity of 1 million tonnes annually, but sadly handles only 250,000 tonnes currently.

“Flowers dominated about 50 percent of the exports – mostly to Europe compared to fresh fruits and vegetables.”

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Speaking at the Modern Airports Africa conference, supported by Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) and other international players in Nairobi, which has been organised by the International Quality and Productivity Centre (IQPC), besides the cargo aspect being below 30 percent, “The present concession can handle traffic for the next five years. I encourage consolidation of service providers (aircraft and cargo handling) and limit new concessions where available capacity is in excess of demand.”

“The private sector will play a key role in Concessions and PPP’s in African Airports however, the legal and regulatory framework should be transparent and investor-friendly,” said Gadhia.

He also called for competitive and low-cost model for airport services without compromising on efficiency, safety and security embedded with a customer focus approach which is essential with new competition from regional airports.

“We envisage that future developments and the airport city will be on a Public Private Partnership basis to ease the fiscal pressures exerted to our national treasury while ensuring that JKIA remains the regional aviation hub,” said Irungu Nyakera, the Transport PS.

The PS stated after calls for Modern Airports in Africa to evolve from being a Parastatal and operate as an efficient and profitable business entity.

According to Captain Gilbert Kibe, Kenya’s aviation sector Kenya’s system handles over 875 flights per day, over 250 international scheduled flights per day, 520 domestics and with flights connecting to 70 airports in 50 countries.

Read: KQ, the Springboard to Africa, Turning Moments into Memories

“Air Transport Liberalization can further increase demand and ensure that the services providing increased connectivity are sustainable over the long-term.”