Local airline operators in Kenya continue to face major challenges in aircraft maintenance, shortage of skilled personnel and availability of spare parts, aviation stakeholders have said.
Speaking during the Aviation AFRICA 2026 Summit and Exhibition in Nairobi, Esther GGatimu the Marketing Manager at I-Fly Air identified the three areas as some of the key challenges affecting the operations and growth of local airlines.
Gatimu said inadequate access to skilled aviation professionals remains a concern as the industry expands and demand for air transport increases.
She also pointed to aircraft maintenance as a major challenge for operators, with airlines requiring reliable maintenance services to keep their fleets safe, airworthy and operational.
“The availability of spare parts is another challenge, with delays in sourcing essential components potentially affecting aircraft turnaround times and increasing operational costs for aairlines”She added.
The challenges come as the African aviation industry seeks to expand connectivity and strengthen local airline operations amid rising demand for air travel across the region.
Industry players attending Aviation AFRICA 2026 in Nairobi are discussing ways of addressing the constraints facing the sector, including developing local aviation skills, strengthening maintenance capacity and improving access to aircraft parts and other critical supplies.
Esther Gatimu’s remarks highlights the need for greater investment in Kenya’s aviation ecosystem to ensure local operators have the technical expertise, infrastructure and resources required to compete effectively and support the country’s growing aviation industry. I -Fly Air is a local Kenyan Air operator plying between the north Eastern routes.
By Frederick Azelwa.