By John Oyuke in Jo’burg, South Africa

NAIROBI, KENYA, Nov. 22 - African Airlines have raised concern over negative impact of excessive airport taxes, charges and fees levied on the industry in the continent.

African Airlines Association (AFRAA), the body representing interests of African airlines warned that high taxes and charges levied on airlines and passengers are not only retarding development of the industry but also making it uncompetitive.

Secretary General Elijah Chingosho said without a commitment by individual African governments to consciously grow their airlines to become big operators, carriers in the continent may not benefit from high growth passenger market in the region.

Speaking at the just concluded AFRAA’s 44th Annual General Assembly (AGA) in Johannesburg, South Africa, Chingosho disclosed that some African airports charge passengers as high as $60 to $80 on a return ticket, well above the world average.

“The excessive airport taxes, charges and fees being levied on airlines and passengers, in addition to the generally high cost of operations, is making African airlines less competitive compared to their foreign counterparts,” he asserted.

According to Chingosho, it is necessary to reduce these taxes and other charges so that the airlines can grow like the mega carriers of Europe and United States and benefit from the developing air transport market in Africa.

Level playing field

 “There is also the need to reduce the cost of fuel. Airports should levy charges commensurate with the services provided and fees and charges ought to be set on a consultative basis with stakeholders,” he added.

During the meeting Kenya Airways was elected as host of the 45th AFRAA AGA by leaders from the African airlines industry. The Assembly said the 45th AGA will be held in a yet to be named venue in Kenya from November 24-26th, 2013.

Choice of KQ to play host to the major African airline conference comes three years after re-joining the African Airlines Association, the body established in 1968 to bring cooperation among airlines in the continent.

As a prelude to what delegates should expect next year, a short video on some of the facilities and attractions that will be sampled during the AGA was played by Kenya Airways team led by the Chief Executive Titus Naikuni.

He led the airline in reactivating its membership of the Nairobi-based AFRAA in March 2010 and presented a cheque to the Secretary General for the airline’s six years outstanding membership subscription.

During 44th AGA, leaders from the African Airlines industry called for cooperation, market liberalisation and creating of a level playing field to facilitate competition and sustainable growth.

The three-day conference was held under the theme ‘Business together in the era of growing opportunities’ and brought together 392 high profile delegates from Africa and across the world.

The South African Minister for Public Enterprises, Malusi Gigaba challenged African airlines to be more aggressive and innovative in the business and work together to better serve the continent air transport needs.