DRC cuts domestic air fares by more than 40%
In Africa in general, air tickets are excessively expensive compared to the rest of the world. This situation, which hampers the development of air transport on the continent, is mainly due to the application of exorbitant taxes and/or charges. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is trying to correct this shortcoming.
On 27 May, the Congolese government and air transport operators agreed, after two weeks of discussions, to reduce the price of air tickets for domestic travel. Since then, the ministerial decree fixing the new tariffs was awaited. It was finally signed on Saturday 7 August by the Minister of National Economy, Jean-Marie Kalumba, during a solemn ceremony.
Presiding over the event, the Prime Minister spoke of "a considerable reduction in prices in proportions exceeding 40% for the main routes". "Indeed, considering that the price of the most expensive plane ticket will oscillate around $200, it is expected that this action will contribute to boosting our economy on the one hand, and improving the accessibility of certain parts of the country on the other. This price brings Congolese from different provinces closer together," says Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde.
"What we can say to the public is that the government has a programme to see how to improve the social sector. And we are starting sector by sector. We have started with air transport because the Congo is a continent. The transport of goods from north to south and from east to west is by plane, because the state of our roads is not good. Rail transport is almost no longer in good condition. So, we had to start there," explains the Minister of National Economy, Jean-Marie Kalumba.
The ministerial decree fixing the new tariffs for air services in the domestic network in the DRC came into force immediately after its signature. "The economic operators must now integrate into their system the price changes according to the routes. So, for administrative reasons, it may take one or two days, but the new fares are already there," reassures Jean-Marie Kalumba.
Although this measure is likely to satisfy the general public, it is not unanimously supported by some domestic transporters who fear for their survival in the absence of substantial accompanying measures. Indeed, they deplore the operational environment which remains very asphyxiating due to high taxation and very expensive aviation fuel.
