Flying may look glamorous from the outside, but behind the clouds, aviation is one of the toughest industries to crack.

From billion-shilling aircraft that barely make a dollar per passenger to the 100+ people needed to turn around a single flight, the realities of running an airline are anything but simple. Yet, thereโ€™s also room for humor.

In this piece, Leonard Khafafa unpacks ten aviation truths that cut through the myths, all served with a Kenyan twist of comic relief. Whether youโ€™re a curious traveler, a budding entrepreneur, or just someone who once mistook speed tape for duct tape, here are ten aviation truths that blend hard facts with a dose of comic relief.

Buying a Plane โ‰  Starting an Airline

So, you bought an aircraft? Cute. Without an Air Operator Certificate (AOC), itโ€™s just an expensive toy. Getting an AOC from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority is no jokeโ€”it can take months or even years. For context? Getting a PSV license is like clicking โ€œApplyโ€ and printing your receipt.

It Takes a Village to Fly a Plane

Running a matatu? You need a driver, maybe a conductor. Flying a plane? Youโ€™ll need over 100 peopleโ€”from check-in staff and security to cockpit and cabin crew. Aviation is a full-team sport.

Aircraft Are Expensiveโ€”and So Are the Salaries

A Boeing 787 carrying 234 passengers needs a staff of 100+ for each turnaround. Thatโ€™s 1 employee per 3 passengers. Compare that to Kenyan banksโ€”1 employee serves 1,733 customers. Aviation may be glamorous, but itโ€™s also a high-cost, low-margin game.

No, Thatโ€™s Not Duct Tape on the Wing

Seen tape on a plane and panicked? Relaxโ€”itโ€™s not holding the aircraft together. Itโ€™s aerospace-grade speed tape, designed for temporary cosmetic fixes. If it were serious, that plane wouldnโ€™t be in the sky.

No Graffiti, Pleaseโ€”This Isnโ€™t a Matatu

While matatus proudly display murals and slogans, aircraft are usually plain whiteโ€”for good reason. White paint reflects sunlight, reduces heat stress, and helps spot cracks or leaks. Also, painting a plane costs as much as a small wedding. In Karen.

Want High Returns? Buy a Bus, Not a Jet

According to IATAโ€™s 2025 projections, African airlines average just $1 profit per passenger. Yes, one dollar. Enough for a mint.

Most airlines exist more for national pride and strategic reasons than profit. So if youโ€™re in it for the money, consider investing in a Mbukinya Bus instead.

In Aviation, Bigger is Better

Small numbers are great for waistlinesโ€”not for airlines. Larger fleets benefit from economies of scale. If buying more aircraft isnโ€™t an option, alliances and partnerships (like KLM-Air France or the Pan-African Airline Group led by Kenya Airways) are the next best bet.

When Planes Stop, the Banks Donโ€™t

The airline industry is hypersensitive to shocksโ€”from global pandemics to policy changes. When COVID-19 hit, flights stopped. But banks? They kept counting. Revenue dried up. Debt didnโ€™t.

Delays Are the Norm, Not the Exception

Fog, sudden storms, VVIP movements, staff strikesโ€”you name it. Operational hiccups are part of the aviation experience. And regardless of the cause, the airline gets the blame. Every. Single. Time.

A Thick Skin is Requiredโ€”Preferably with a Helmet and Humour

In aviation, wins are rare, and applause even rarer. Success is downplayed, while failures are magnified. Still, something is rewarding about moving people and goods across bordersโ€”fueling economies, creating jobs, and connecting continents.

Oh, and yesโ€”the salary helps cushion the turbulence.


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