Four things Kenya and Africa should do to improve aviation sector

International Air Transport Association (IATA) Country Manager East Africa Agnes Mucuha, Ethiopian Airlines Area Manager for Kenya Soble Azene and South African Airways Finance Manager Mohammed Hussein when they appeared before the National Assembly Finance Committee during the public participation on the Finance bill, 2024 at Hilton Garden Hotel, Mombasa road on June 3, 2024. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Last week, Kenya hosted the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) Ground Handling Conference (IGHC). This conference was the first of its kind on the continent. The event brought together 850 participants from 87 countries, providing a global platform to not only discuss pressing aviation issues but also spotlight Kenya's appeal as a premier tourist and investment destination. The conference brought to the fore several critical issues-some global, others more local-but all of them relevant to Kenya's growing aviation sector. There were four major takeaways from the conference.

First is that ground handling must be valued as a core aviation function. This is because it is often perceived as less prestigious compared to careers in the cockpit or cabin yet it is an essential part of the aviation ecosystem. Whilst pilots and flight attendants ensure safety and comfort in the air, ground handlers guarantee safety on the ground and facilitate the smooth processing of passengers and cargo. From ramp operations to baggage and cargo handling, these roles are foundational.