Flight prices in Kenya and other East African Countries could reduce as the East African Community mulls domesticating flights plying within the region.
The proposal which was debated by the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) on March 12, 2024, in Nairobi will also seek to liberalise the EAC airspace which means that it will be regarded as one common airspace for all airlines registered and licensed by the bloc’s partner states.
Further, if the plan is successful, besides lowering flight prices through domestication of flights, the EAC countries will also witness an increase in the flight routes for the airlines.
The motion was moved by MPs Paul Musamali Mwasa, from Uganda, and Kennedy Musyoka Kalonzo, from Kenya, and was seconded by Gerald Blacks Siranda, from Uganda.
While moving the motion, Kennedy Musyoka Kalonzo stated that flights within the EAC were unnecessarily expensive despite them being neighbouring countries.
“Just as I was sitting here, I quickly checked out how much our flight from here [Nairobi] to Dubai was, and I discovered it is 37,000 Kenyan shillings [approx. $266], while a flight to visit our neighbours, who are our members in this House – to DRC – is 100,000 Kenyan shillings [approx. $720],” he stated.
Additionally, the domestication of flights is aimed at promoting trade and tourism between Kenya and the other EAC countries.
It is currently reported that the proposal is being debated by the EAC Council of Ministers and later by the Presidents of the eight countries, in April.
Data shared by the African Airlines Association shows that out of 53 airports in Africa, 10 operators charge passengers above USD 100 (Ksh12,982) based on the current exchange rates in taxes.
However, if the flights are domesticated as suggested in the new proposal, the taxes will be lowered or scrapped resulting in a significant reduction in the prices.
The debate comes at a time when Kenya and Tanzania resolved a stalemate in the countries’ aviation sector that saw Tanzania initially ban flights from Kenya.
The ban which has since been reversed, was an act of retaliation from Tanzania after Kenya refused to allow Air Tanzania from operating cargo flights between Nairobi and other countries.
