Airplanes in an airport.[Photo/Nation]
The Transport Ministry is probing local airlines to get rid off out swindler operators after it was discovered that some of them have been acting against the terms of their licences.
Principal Secretary Paul Maringa mentioned yesterday that a team of officials from different agencies in air transport has been scrutinizing through airlines based at Wilson Airport. He said any airline found operating against the policies would have its licence revoked.
“We initiated investigations, which are being carried out by officials from the Ministry, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), Kenya Airports Authority, and other agencies and the findings should be out in the course of this or next week. If we establish anyone has been doing this, we will revoke their licence,” said Mr Maringa.
The PS noted three airlines licensed to carry passengers but had been transporting cargo mostly between Nairobi’s Wilson Airport and Mogadishu in Somalia. Other challenges Last week, KCAA suspended the operations of two airlines.
“It is a serious issue and we will tie up all these things and find out the areas of compromise,” said Mr Maringa.
Air operator licences are precise as to the services airlines offer in the market while the planes are laid out to either ferry passengers or goods.
“A cargo plane is designed differently. When you use a passenger plane to carry cargo, you are posing a risk to yourself and the public as well as bringing about other challenges because the two are different. Among the differences is that a cargo plane has a higher carrying capacity. “Cargo is also unstable and needs systems of anchorage, which are not present in a passenger plane,” said the PS.