Transport CS Michael Kamau rules out plan to regulate air fares

NAIROBI, KENYA: The Government has dismissed plans by Parliament to regulate air fares charged by local airlines, a move that could defeat a Bill currently being debated by the house. This is because it is not possible to fix the price of jet fuel, aircraft or even maintenance costs.

“It is not possible to legislate private business, the era of price controls has long ended. What we need is to create an environment that allows of growth of the aviation industry,” said Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary Michael Kamau.

He made these remarks yesterday during the signing ceremony of the Kenya and Mozambique bilateral trade agreement at Transcom House.

TICKET PRICES

During debate on the floor yesterday, MPs complained about what they termed Kenya Airways’ monopoly of air transport in Kenya and its high ticket prices. “We have one of the largest aviation industries in Africa with a lot of private airlines and charters operating from Nairobi’s Wilson airport,” noted Eng Kamau.

The Kenya-Mozambique bilateral air service agree agreement allows multiple destinations which initially only allowed for three weekly frequencies per city pair.

The agreement also provides for code-share agreements providing enormous opportunity to local carriers. Kenya Airways currently operates direct flights to Maputo and Nampula with five frequencies each.

“We have a lot of opportunities in the oil and gas sector, agriculture, mineral exploration which Kenyan investors can take advantage of. Mozambique is also an ideal holiday destination. Although it has taken long to seal this agreement, we hope to reap its dividends soon,” said Mozambique’s Deputy Minister for Transport and Communications, Dr Manuela Joaquim Rebelo.