Flying schools push for tax relief to cut pilot training costs
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 […] The post Flying schools…
Flying schools in the country have been advocating for a zero tax rate on aviation gasoline to alleviate the soaring costs associated with pilot training. During the graduation ceremony of 95 students, including pilots and engineers, at the Kenya School of Flying, the Secretary-General of the association, Engineer Githae Mwandiki, highlighted that the cost of aviation training has surged by more than 400 percent over the past two decades, making it unaffordable for many Kenyans.
According to Engineer Mwandiki, the average cost of training a pilot in Kenya stands at approximately Ksh 9 million, which is significantly beyond the means of the majority of citizens. He pointed out that a substantial portion of this expense is attributed to the high cost of aviation gasoline, specialized fuel utilized by small piston-engine aircraft employed in training and personal flying.
The Secretary-General emphasized that fuel costs constitute around 40 to 42 percent of the total aviation training expenses. He has urged the government to zero rate the aviation gasoline in the upcoming financial year to mitigate the training costs. Additionally, he noted that landing and parking fees at various airports across the country have also contributed to the high training expenses, with Wilson, Diani, and Malindi airports currently being the primary venues for aviation training institutions.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) Acting Director General, Nicholas Modo, confirmed that the State Department of Aviation and Aerospace Development is currently reviewing the landing and parking fees to address the issue. He expressed that this adjustment would aid in reducing congestion at Wilson Airport, which he deemed unsafe for trainees.
Furthermore, former Mathioya Member of Parliament, Captain Clement Wambugu, challenged fellow MPs to sponsor aviation students through the National Government Constituency Development Fund. Wambugu mentioned that he had successfully sponsored over four students to become pilots and engineers during his tenure as an MP.
Written by urgent.news from KBC's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
