Clearing and forwarding agents operating at the Kigali International Airport have decried delays in issuance of airport access badges, which they say is affecting their operations. They claimed that sometimes it takes about three months to get a pass that is only valid for the same period. 

This means that our members cannot operate over this period, according to Josephine Nyebaza, the Association of Clearing and Freight Forwarders vice-president.

The clearing and forwarding agents are required to have access cards by the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority (RCAA) to access the airport. Nyebaza called on RCAA to ease the process of acquiring badges so that agents can operate without interruptions. The access badges cost Rwf50,000 each, payable every three months, which clearing agents say is too high and should be reduced or scrapped, she added.

Tony Barigye, the RCAA communications manager, said they are aware of the matter, adding that the authority has already met with the agents’ leaders to find ways to resolve the issue.