29 Airlines Barred From Conducting Operations in Kenya

Twenty nine airlines have been banned from operating in the country by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) for failing to complete their certification.

According to a statement issued by the authority, also on the list are 15 maintenance organizations which have been prohibited from conducting any operation.

“The authority is mandated to regulate the aviation industry in Kenya. Our functions include certification of air operators, maintenance organizations among other entities,” the statement read.

[caption caption="KCAA Director General Gilbert Kibe"][/caption]

KCAA Director General Gilbert Kibe noted that they would not release the names of the agencies as they did not wish for Kenyans to consider that using the airlines was not safe.

“We also cannot release the names because there is a need to protect their privacy and business,” he explained.

The suspended airlines will be reviewed after three months to see if they meet the requisite requirements.

Kenya Association of Air Operators CEO Eutychus Waithaka attributed the enforcement to the forthcoming International Civil Aviation Organization audit which will take place in July.

Waithaka also added that there was a need to have a definite process for conducting the audit of the airlines’ structure, on board medical equipment, flight equipment and operations manual.

He further noted that the directive would deliver a blow to the financial well being of the airlines.

The authority reached the decision after a Cessna aircraft crashed into the Aberdare ranges claiming the lives of 12 Kenyans.

[caption caption="File photo of Aberdares plane crash"][/caption]

 

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