Kenya losses fight to Uganda on cheaper Flights

Post by : Ann Njambuya

Kenya is expected to loss a significant number of transit flights to its neighbour Uganda. This comes after Uganda announced an exemption of taxes from transit passengers in its Entebbe international airport. JKIA has been the major transit port for passenger into East Africa a position that will most likely be threatened by Entebbe.

Airport charges and taxes are major contributors to expensive plane tickets. This charges are passed on to passengers by their respective airlines. During Last month’s budget preparation statement, Uganda’s Minister of finance Matia Kasaija indicated that the government of Uganda will be exempting Airport Charges in order to lower the cost of flying.

According to documents obtained by https://www.iconnews.co.ke, show that Airports in Africa charge more in Airport charges and taxes than their European counterparts.

This move by the Ugandan authorities, seeks to make the Entebbe international Airport a premium destination rivalling the JKIA. JKIA has on the other hand been expanding in a move to make clearing of international passengers more efficient and faster. No matter what, the cost people always want efficiency and faster services especially in Airports.

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Kenyan Airways planes are parked at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. Uganda is lowering its airport charges in a bid to increase flight frequency and rival JKIA. — Kenyan Airways planes are parked at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi March 24, 2020. Picture taken March 24, 2020. To match Insight HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS/PRODUCE. REUTERS

According to a senior employee at JKIA, who spoke to us anonymously indicated that the tier one Airport is not worried by Ugandan directive. Our source claimed that JKIA provides superior services and faster access and clearance rates than their counterparts in Uganda.