Passengers might have to pay more fares after Kenya Airports Authority increases service charge beginning July. The service charge is a fee KAA charges passengers who use its facilities, which primarily are the local and international airports in Kenya.

KAA has received approval from the Finance minister Njeru Githae to increase the service charge for international passengers from USD20 (Ksh1,660) to USD40 (Ksh3,320). Domestic travellers will pay Kshs. 200 more when the rate is increased from Ksh. 300 to Ksh.500.

The service charge is usually included in the ticket amount and this will force airlines to adjust their fares upwards to enable them recover the amount for KAA. The Airports Authority is seeking to increase it revenue to finance expansion and upgrade of major airports throughout the country.

KAA projects to collect over  Ksh. 6.7 billion from the regional hub Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) alone in one year. The single terminal airport handles more than two million passengers yearly.

Major international airlines have expressed concerns over the move claiming it would increase the fares, worsening the situation where local currencies have been performing poorly against major world currencies. This had resulted to high fares already on the international routes using JKIA as their regional hub.

Kenya Civil Aviation Authority  announced earlier in the year that it will increase navigation fees levied on airlines and mobile phone operators. All these adjustments will be transferred to the passengers.