KCAA, KAA probe alleged illegal Jetways activity at JKIA

Cargo carrier Jetways Airlines has had its air side access restricted as government authorities’ begin investigations on allegations of possible breach in security.

The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) are probing security breaches by the airline at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) after reports of irregular activity.

KAA announced that it had temporarily closed airside access to the Jetways facility, to allow the security agencies to further investigate.

“We in Kenya Airports Authority take Safety and Security seriously and wish to assure the public that we take all the concerns with the importance it deserves,” KAA said in a statement to newsrooms.

KCAA has in the meantime revoked the carrier’s certificate as it conducts investigations.

“In this regard, KCAA has withheld the regulated agent certificate until investigations are complete and the operator found not to be in breach of security protocols,” KCAA director general Gilbert Kibe said.

Besides offer cargo and mail courier services, Jetways has also been operating charter flights across East and Central Africa.

Both authorities however did not disclose the nature of the illegal and irregular activity being conducted by Jetways.

Jetways had been conducting sits operations from the Kenya Airways Cargo facility until it was granted its own certificate.

Media reports from the weekend indicated that Jetways was operating unchecked mirra cargo operations to Somalia.

The investigation by authorities comes at a time JKIA has been awarded category one status by the US government to operate direct flights to the US following security and safety audits.

It is understood that Jetways is yet to install requisite security gadgets at its facility as well as a Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) customs centre.

“Should there be a violation, KCAA will take further punitive action against the operator and agent,” Mr Kibe said.

Airport authorities exert a lot of restrictions on air side access to enhance security.

Tags:

KCAA Miraa Aviation jkia KAA Kenya Airports Authority Gilbert Kibe Kenya Civil Aviation Authority airside action illegal activity Jetways

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