The Congolese government has just decided to include the fee instituted to modernize the airport infrastructure called « IDEF » or « Go Pass » in the price of the plane ticket. The Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Transport and Communications invited the stakeholders to implement this measure within six months, as of July 5, 2019.

« In the Government’s concern to ensure the uniqueness of the counter to which the passenger must pay his taxes and fees when purchasing his ticket, as strongly recommended by ICAO and IATA, in As a means of facilitation for travelers, the amount to be paid by any passenger departing Congolese airports will now be incorporated into the air ticket, « wrote the head of Transport and Congolese communications to the President of the Board of Airlines Representatives ( BAR) in an official letter to Zoom Eco.

Clearly, the government’s motivation is to centralize the collection of all taxes and royalties in order to stem the flow of revenue. And this, in accordance with the recommendations of the relevant specialized agencies.

As for the impact of this incorporation of the IDEF on the cost of the air ticket, the RVA, like the government, considers that the operation does not make the destination of Kinshasa and other Congolese platforms any more expensive as long as this fee is paid from 10 years by the passengers.

« The international comparison of international airport taxes applied at the African level and outside the continent shows that the incorporation of the IDEF will bring the total of all taxes included in the ticket from 69 USD to 119 USD, lower than the African average is 123 USD, « reassured Mr. Azarias Ruberwa.

However, it should be noted that this measure requires the corporation of air carriers to increase, by 10 USD or 50 USD, the price of their air tickets from Kinshasa or from any city in the DRC . Because it is a fee that is borne by passengers and recovered by carriers on behalf of the state.

By implementing this government decision, each passenger will be forced to pay the IDEF upon the purchase of the ticket. So there will be no question of doing it at the airport.

#RDC Cette lettre est un bon aperçu des quelques problèmes autour de la redevance IDEF.
Remarques:
– l’incorporant au billet rend l’audit facile.
-son taux ne paraît pas proportionnel au service rendu.
-L’action législative/ loi en la matière est impérative. @LubayaClaudel https://t.co/1nWM6mBX55

— Dackin Kasongo (@Mwanakinshasa) July 9, 2019

In view of the reservations made by the corporation, particularly on the need for a differentiated rate between « child » and « adult« , the Deputy Prime Minister instructed the Régie des voies aérien (RVA) to amend its tariff decision. in force to integrate this differentiated pricing. It is the same, he wrote, for the « crew » and « staff members » who should be exempted.

« For reasons of transparency and accountability, I invite the RVA to organize periodically, on a biannual or annual basis, consultations with the members of the BAR and the CPTA in order to inform you of the evolution of the projects in progress. airport infrastructure benefiting from IDEF funding and future financing. The government, through these consultations, will involve your corporations in identifying the needs of the country for the modernization of airport infrastructure, « said Azarias Ruberwa.

Emilie MBOYO