The government has been petitioned by flying schools in the country to zero rate aviation gasoline in a bid to reduce the skyrocketing aviation training cost.
Speaking during the graduation of 95 students, including pilots and engineers, at the Kenya School of Flying at Orly Airpark, the association’s Secretary-General, Engineer Githae Mwandiki, says aviation training cost has increased by over 400 percent in the last two decades making aviation training beyond the reach of many Kenyans.
“The average cost of training a pilot in the country is around Ksh 9 million which is far beyond whilst majority of Kenyans can afford,” said Eng. Githae.
Githae attributed the high to high cost of aviation gasoline (avgas) a specialized high-octane fuel used to power small, piston-engine aircraft like training planes and private personal aircraft.
“The cost of fuel accounts for at least 40 to 42 percent of aviation training. We have petitioned the government to zero rate the gasoline in the coming financial to bring doing the cost of training,” he said.
Adding: “The other component that has made aviation trading costly is the landing and parking fee of aircraft in various airports across the country.”
Consequently, Eng Githae noted that Wilson, Diani and Malindi airports are currently among the key facilities used by aviation training institutions, with landing and parking charges remaining a major challenge.
“We are pushing for the establishment of a unified standard of landing and parking fees applicable for flight training aircraft’s in all airports,” Githae said.
On his part, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority Acting Director General Nicholas Bodo revealed that the State Department of Aviation and Aerospace Development is reviewing the fees to address the issue adding that the move will help decongest Wilson Airport which he said was not safe for trainees.
“This move will help flying schools to train easily and train more students,” he said.
At the same time, Captain Clement Wambugu, former Mathioya Member of Parliament has challenged members of parliament to sponsor aviation students through the National Government Constituency Development Fund.
“Sponsoring students to be pilots and engineers is possible through the NGCDF as I managed to sponsor over 4 students when I am an MP,” he said.
