International body ranks Kenya's aviation sustainability as second best in Africa

Kenya Airways (KQ) [Collins Oduor, Standard]

Kenya's aviation sustainability has been ranked second best in Africa by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The global body says Kenya scored 91.77 per cent in its latest audit, the highest ever recorded in East and Central Africa.

A press statement by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) on Monday, August 1 showed that the universal security audit placed Kenya as the best in the East, Central, and Southern Africa region.

"The improved score is significant since it gives an overall picture of the compliance status. It is also a confidence indicator to other states, existing and potential air carriers and investors on the robust nature of Kenya's aviation security system," the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) press release read in part.
Kenya comes in second after Nigeria (96.06 per cent).

In the third position is Tanzania (85.68 per cent), Rwanda (85.97 per cent) and Uganda (76.44 per cent).

The average Effective Implementation (EI) of Critical Elements (CEs) score currently stands at 71.86 per cent globally, 61.90 per cent in Africa, and 65.61 per cent in the East and Southern Region.

The audit was carried out across the globe in the period between May 16 to May 27 this year.

The Universal Security Audit Program (USAP) has now conducted three audits of Kenya, the first two of which took place in 2015 and 2008, respectively.

In 2008, Kenya scored 68 per cent whilst in 2015, 88 per cent respectively.

"This improved performance comes just after Kenya attained Category 1 Status making possible direct nonstop flights into the United States of America in 2018."

The audit, which incorporates elements of both the risk-based and continuous monitoring approaches that support the enhancement of international civil aviation security, was conducted in critical aviation sector areas and involved a number of government and private sector agencies.