AFRAA Deplores African Airline High Taxes

The Secretary-General of Africa
Airlines Association, Dr. Elijah Chingosho has identified over-taxation as one
of the major factors militating against the growth of African airlines.

Chingosho who was speaking at the
18th Aviation and Allied Business Conference which took place recently in
Windhoek, Namibia, observed that over-taxation of these airlines was retarding
their development and stifling the realisation of their full potentials.

According to him, it is therefore
necessary to reduce these taxes so that the airlines can grow like the mega
carriers of Europe and  the United States
and benefit from the developing air transport market, which is the second
fastest growing market after the Middle East.

“There is also the need to reduce
the cost of fuel. Airports should levy charges commensurate with services
provided and fees and charges ought to be set on a consultative basis with
stakeholders”, he said.

Several airports have monopoly of
ground handling companies, catering and fuel suppliers which makes them to set
charges arbitrarily. But if there were more service providers, users will have
flexibility to choose service providers that deliver value for money”, he said.

He described safety as the greatest
challenge facing African aviation and urged stakeholders to adhere strictly to
global best practices on safety and security in order to overcome the
challenge.