Kenya, Jordan sign aviation cooperation deal

Kenya and Jordan on Tuesday signed an agreement to cooperate in the improvement of their respective aviation sectors.

Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) Director General, Gilbert Kibe, told journalists in the Kenyan capital Nairobi that under the deal, Kenyan pilots will receive advanced training in Jordan.

"Aviation officials from both nations are working on the finer details of the agreement that is set to become operational in January 2017," Kibe said during the Kenya-Jordan Business Forum.

Kibe said that the number of Kenya pilots to be trained annually will depend on the need by airlines and aviation companies.

"For example, the Kenya Airways requires to train between 40 to 45 pilots annually," he said.

"KCAA has examined the course offered in Jordan and we have approved the training for our local pilots," he said.

Under the agreement, Jordanian commercial pilots will also receive training in Kenya.

"The Jordanians are also looking at the training offered in Kenya in order to see what will interest them," Kibe said.

Kenya and Jordan are yet to sign a Bilateral Air Service Agreement.

Once the deal is signed, it will permit direct air flights between the two nations.

The KCAA head said that the low volume of trade between the two countries has led to a delay in signing of the bilateral air service agreement.

"We hope increased trade will lead to direct flight that will reduce travel time between the two nations," he added. Endit