Nairobi, Sept. 11 -- The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has criticised President William Ruto's government for supporting Kenya Airways while simultaneously imposing charges and policies that increase the cost of air travel and undermine the national carrier's growth.

IATA's Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Al-Awadhi, said Kenya is among several African countries imposing excessive taxes, levies and charges on aviation, with the recently introduced mandatory travel insurance for international visitors adding to the burden.

Kenya Airways, he said, cannot thrive when it is being squeezed by taxes and charges in Kenya and across the continent, which push up fares and erode airlines' already thin...