{
  "id": 3771150,
  "title": "MPs back changes to passenger charge to fund aviation safety and tourism",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/mps-back-changes-to-passenger-charge-to-fund-aviation-safety-and",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-27T16:21:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Capital FM Kenya",
    "slug": "capital-fm-kenya",
    "url": "https://capitalfm.africa/mps-back-changes-to-passenger-charge-to-fund-aviation-safety-and-tourism/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "NAIROBI, Kenya, August 27 - The National Assembly in Kenya has passed a Bill that aims to redirect funds from the Air Passenger Service Charge (APSC) towards aviation safety improvements and tourism development, according to a report by <source 38445f7d-ec8>. Sponsored by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, the Air Passenger Service Charge (Amendment) Bill, 2026 seeks to alter how APSC revenue is managed and distributed. The Bill, which passed after a Committee of the Whole House review, sets the stage for Senate consideration before becoming law. The proposed changes to the Air Passenger Service Charge Act are designed to strengthen the connection between the levy paid by travelers and investments in sectors crucial to air transport and tourism.\n\nThe push for these changes comes less than a year after the last amendment to the Air Passenger Service Charge Act in November 2025, which transitioned the Tourism Promotion Fund to the Tourism Fund. Debates in Parliament highlighted the need for the APSC revenue to directly benefit key aviation and tourism agencies without duplicative funding. Currently set at Sh600 for domestic routes and US$50 for international journeys, the APSC is a significant revenue source, with the Cabinet Secretary having the authority to modify rates through a Gazette notice.\n\nThe new framework proposes channeling a portion of the APSC revenue to bolster aviation safety measures and efficiency improvements, highlighting the sector's importance for Kenya's regional air transport hub status. Additionally, the legislation intends to enhance support for tourism promotion, crucial for attracting international visitors and facilitating domestic travel. The legislation aims to clarify the administration of APSC revenue, potentially offering travelers more transparency about the levy's applications. With aviation safety and tourism promotion as primary beneficiaries, the passing of this Bill marks a step towards more targeted use of the levy generated by air travelers.",
  "summary": "The charge currently stands at Sh600 for passengers travelling on domestic routes and US$50 for international journeys, with the law allowing the Cabinet Secretary to vary the rates through a Gazette notice.",
  "key_points": [
    "National Assembly passes Bill to redirect APSC funds to aviation safety and tourism.",
    "Sponsored by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Bill aims to alter APSC revenue management.",
    "Proposed changes target aviation safety improvements and tourism development."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}