The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents some 290 airlines comprising 82% of global air traffic, has identified opportunities for significant expansion in Kenya over the next 20 years if key investments in infrastructure and policy reforms are made.
It said recently in its latest study on the economic value of air transport and tourism to Kenya at the IATA regional aviation forum in Nairobi that there is need for government to improve air transport infrastructure to accommodate the future growth of air traffic.
It also said Nairobi should implement the single African air transport market by making its regulatory framework statutory, as well as improve safety and adopt new innovative technology. "Air transport has been a major driver in Kenya’s economy, boosting tourism, attracting regional headquarters of multinational companies and fostering trade, logistics and foreign investment in the country,” said IATA's Regional Vice President for the Middle East & Africa, Muhammad Ali Albakri.
“…however, while Kenya ranks globally in the top 10% of countries for visa openness, it remains in the bottom half for air transport infrastructure. “To unlock the full social and economic benefits that aviation brings, Kenya needs to improve its infrastructure, open its skies, remain vigilant and firm on safety, while taking advantage of new technologies to improve efficiency and the passenger experience.”
Aviation accounts for 4.6% of Kenya’s GDP and supports 410,000 jobs. More than 4.7 million passenger journeys were made to Kenya in 2017, with aviation and tourism representing $3.2 billion in GDP. The Kenyan market has the potential to more than double in size over the next 20 years, resulting in an additional 11.3 million passenger journeys, over 449,000 more jobs and a $11.3 billion boost to GDP by 2037.
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