Explosive allegations have surfaced against Africa Flight Service as shippers and agents accuse the company of flouting regulations and obstructing cargo clearance processes at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
In a scathing letter dated April 23, 2024, addressed to the General Manager of Africa Flight Service at JKIA, sources within the industry have complained over the company’s apparent disregard for Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association (KIFWA) movement passes – a security protocol jointly developed with KRA to monitor access to Customs-designated zones.
Despite these passes receiving official endorsement and recognition by the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) for managing movements within airport cargo precincts it appears that Africa Flight Service has chosen to ignore them.
This is compromising security protocols and impeding operational efficiency.
The letter also accuses the company of enforcing exorbitant foreign exchange rates, purportedly as high as Kshs. 160 per US dollar, well above the Central Bank of Kenya’s approved rate of approximately Kshs. 130 per US dollar.
Such practices could lead to inflated costs and unfair trading conditions for agents and shippers.
The letter also highlights delays in the generation of handling charges invoices post-customs clearance.
These delays, as per complaints from industry stakeholders, result in additional storage charges and disrupt the timely clearance and delivery of cargo, directly contravening the swift turnaround expected in airfreight operations.
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