Transport CS establishes committee to supervise Kenya Airways

KQ Group Managing Director Mbuvi Ngunze (left) and KICC Managing Director Fred Simiyu (right) at a media briefing where the two signed an MoU to foster growth in tourism numbers and airline reservations through conferencing. PHOTO | LILIAN OCHIENG | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• In a notice on Friday last week, Acting Cabinet Secretary Transport and Infrastructure James Macharia said that the National Air Transport Facilitation Committee has the mandate to review international air travel clearance policies for ease of movement.
• The committee will also consider ways of exempting KQ from fuel tax so that the benefits are passed down to passengers.

By LILIAN OCHIENG
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A committee has been founded to revive Kenya Airways and ensure best international practices are adhered to in a two year re-certification process.

In a notice on Friday last week, Acting Cabinet Secretary Transport and Infrastructure James Macharia said that the National Air Transport Facilitation Committee has the mandate to review international air travel clearance policies for ease of movement.

The committee will guide in establishment and harmonisation of rules of airspace, aircraft registration, safety and efficiency across neighbouring countries.

It will also consider ways of exempting KQ from fuel tax so that the benefits are passed down to passengers.

“It is notified for the general information of the public that following the International Civil Aviation Organisation directive pursuant to the provisions of Article 37 of the convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago 1944) and designated as Annex 9, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure establishes the National Air Transport Facilitation Committee,” states the notice.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Ministries responsible for civil aviation, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, Secretariat to the National Civil Aviation Security Committee, Kenya Airports Authority, Kenya Plants Health Inspectorate Service and Kenya Revenue Authority form part of the committee.

Other members are: Criminal Investigation Directorate, Frontier Control, Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Kenya Airports Police Unit, Kenya Tourism Board and Department of Immigration Services.

REVIVAL PLAN

The group is geared up to revive the national carrier Kenya Airways despite the financial crisis it faces.

At all times, it shall ensure application of international civil aviation regulations in order to lift KQ from financial quagmire.

Part of the plan is to ensure best technologies are used for smooth movement of aircraft.

Passengers, cargo and mail coming through KQ are to pass as domestic as the committee looks at harmonising policies across Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda and possibly Tanzania.

The plan is in line with Northern Corridor Integration Summit move to give KQ a new lease of life through liberalisation of the regional air space.

The deal set for January 2016 will allow both KQ and Rwanda Air to patch in the member countries as domestic flights.