Wealthy Kenyans push number of registered planes to 1,268

A Cessna Caravan that belongs to Phoenix Aviation. The aircraft is ideal for charter flights to game parks and oil exploration sites. PHOTO | FILE 

In Summary

• Kenya’s business magnates, politicians and freshly minted millionaires are fast taking to the air as the preferred mode of transport – expanding the market for leasing and private ownership of planes.
• “One could buy a small used Cessna for as low as $30,000 (Sh2.7 million) while a used Cessna 182 costs about $100,000 (Sh8.9 million).
• More than 80 per cent of the recently registered vessels are light aircraft weighing up to 10 tonnes that are popular with individual owners and firms operating light charter flights.

By ALLAN ODHIAMBO
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The number of registered aircraft in Kenya grew by 32 per cent in the past five years to 1,268 in a show of growing affluence by the elite who are driving up demand for air travel.

The 1,268 aircraft comprise those belonging to operators of scheduled flights, charter flights and privately owned planes that operate from small airports and airstrips.

Data from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) shows that the country had 958 registered planes five years ago.

More than 80 per cent of the recently registered vessels are light aircraft weighing up to 10 tonnes that are popular with individual owners and firms operating light charter flights.

“There has been an increase in demand for domestic air transport implying a promising shift from the use of road and rail to air transport,” KCAA said.

KCAA data also show that aircraft take-offs and landings on domestic routes grew substantially in the past five years.

By end of June 2014, a total of 176,503 landings and take-offs were registered on domestic routes representing a 36 per cent jump from the 130,237 aircraft movements registered in 2009.

RICH LIST

Though national flag carrier Kenya Airways has helped push up the number of registered aircraft through its on-going fleet modernisation drive, that has so far amounted to less than 30 deliveries in five years.

Kenya’s business magnates, politicians and freshly minted millionaires are fast taking to the air as the preferred mode of transport – expanding the market for leasing and private ownership of planes.

Apart from urban-based business leaders, politicians and wealthy deal-makers, Kenyan skies are also dominated by large scale farmers and ranchers based in Nanyuki, Kitale, Laikipia and Narok.

The list of wealthy politicians who fly personal planes includes former MPs Ephraim Maina, Peter Kenneth, John Harun Mwau and Kiambu governor William Kabogo.

Retired politician Simeon Nyachae, former minister Nicholas Biwott, Baringo senator Gideon Moi and miraa mogul Musa Gurian also make the list.

READ: Kenya’s flying millionaires

Aero Club of East Africa – a lobby group of private aircraft owners – attributes the growth in number of registered planes to Nairobi’s rising status as the region’s business hub and a growing number of wealthy individuals with the means to own and maintain an aircraft.

“There is also marked increase in the number of flying schools as well as recent growth in demand for air safaris that is now depressed because of the tourism industry’s security challenges,” said Rob Linck, who chairs the club.

Mr Linck said that the US and South Africa have a vibrant second-hand airplane market that offer competitive prices for anyone aspiring to own a plane.

“One could buy a small used Cessna for as low as $30,000 (Sh2.7 million) while a used Cessna 182 costs about $100,000 (Sh8.9 million).

Mr Linck said the biggest headache in owing an aircraft lies in operational and maintenance costs, including high jet fuel prices, airport landing fees, parking fees, insurance and spare parts.

Wilson Airport handles about 90 per cent of domestic flights that are mainly made up of chartered and commercial flights to holiday destinations such as the Maasai Mara, Mombasa, Amboseli, Lamu, Kilimanjaro, Diani, Lokichogio and Nanyuki.

It is currently ranked among the busiest airports in terms of aircraft movement in East and Central Africa. Growth in the number of registered aircraft has also triggered a jump in the number of key personnel licensed to work in the aviation industry.

In 2013/14, the figure was 7,999 personnel – including pilots, cabin crew and engineers – representing a 175 per cent leap from 2005/06 when the number stood at 2,908.

GROWING INDUSTRY

Growth in the aviation industry has also benefited from demand for logistics and transport services in remote locations where mineral exploration is on-going.

The recent discovery of oil in Turkana has triggered a wave of exploration work in other remote locations such as Isiolo that are best accessed through light aircraft such as helicopters.

Rising demand for air travel is also being driven by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and government agencies undertaking reconnaissance and surveillance work in remote areas.

KCAA said it expects growth to continue, citing the rise in passenger numbers that is in turn driving up frequency of flights and opening up of new routes.

Wealthy individuals have also acquired aircrafts to satisfy their ambitions for reliable and personalised travel. Kenya is estimated to have more than 400 privately registered planes.

Several companies running charter flight services have recently moved to boost their fleet capacity to match growing demand on both domestic and international routes.

Kenya Airways in April launched the low-cost operator Jambojet that is targeted at domestic fliers. The airline flies to Kisumu, Eldoret and Mombasa from Nairobi.

In August a new budget carrier, SouthEast Airlines, joined the scramble for the domestic air travel market with launch of scheduled flights on the busy Nairobi-Mombasa route.

Private charter firms such as Phoenix Aviation have recently expanded their fleet. Based at Wilson, Phoenix Aviation has a fleet of 13 aircraft and a helicopter. The company works closely with Amref Flying Doctors Air Ambulance services.