Kenya toughens controls on aircraft short leases

Kenya has tightened controls on local airline operators eyeing short-term leases of aircraft, in proposed changes that if approved by Parliament, could pile misery on local fresh produce exporters already disrupted by a decision by several international airlines to withdraw freight services at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), citing lower returns.

In new proposals introduced by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), the State has limited the number of foreign aircraft that a local operator can acquire on a short-term basis to not more than 50 percent of their existing fleet, or five aircraft whichever is less.