Kenyan domestic airfares rose 18.43% in December 2018 compared to the same month in 2017, with return tickets up 7.44% from November 2018, according to Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) data.
The average domestic ticket price reached Ksh 21,230.18 in December 2018, up from Ksh 17,926.06 in December 2017. Return flights averaged Ksh 19,760.87 in November 2018 before climbing to Ksh 21,230.18 in December, reflecting a 7.44% increase.
International flight fares averaged Ksh 120,546.86 in December 2018, an 8.92% rise from Ksh 110,674.11 in December 2017. This marked a 0.63% increase from November 2018’s Ksh 119,791.45, the report showed.
Bus fares climbed 17.59% year-on-year to Ksh 1,245.94 in December 2018, exceeding November 2018’s Ksh 1,059.56 by 5.27%. The Transport Index rose 1.34% during the month, indicating broader price pressures across travel sectors.
KNBS attributed the spike in transport and consumer prices to heightened demand linked to Christmas celebrations. "The upsurge in transport, food, clothing, and footwear prices was attributed to increased demand associated with Christmas festivities," the agency stated.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.65% in December 2018, reaching 193.51 from 192.25 in November. Annual inflation stood at 5.71%, with food prices rising 2.54% year-on-year despite mixed trends in individual commodities.
Housing and utilities costs edged up 0.07% in December 2018 compared to November, though electricity tariffs for 50 and 200 KWh remained unchanged from November 2017 levels, according to the report.
