By Peterson Uakotoka Tjitemisa
THE aeronautical term aviation is defined as the branch of science, business, or technology that deals with any part of the operation of machines that fly through the air.
Airlines have a high impact on the social and economic arena that should not be under-estimated. Today the aviation sector supports near 57 million jobs and US$2.2 trillion in economic activity. Aviation gets African perishable goods to the markets in Europe and the West. Namibia and many other states depend heavily on the tourism sector, not letting alone a safari holiday or a couple of weeks in a tropical forest which you cannot get with any other form of transportation with ease unless you fly. Without aviation tourists will not be able to get around to these places causing economies to stagnate, because of the states being heavily dependent on tourism.
Our brothers and sisters who work in Europe and Canada send stipends home, a practice that is vital and brings much-needed cash to the continent. Aviation carries goods worth about US$5.3 trillion every year, making it vital on day to day basis.
Air transport is involved in critical, time-sensitive deliveries for which no other mode of transportation can make it a reality, such as vaccines to distant markets. Humanitarian efforts such as the Tahiti earthquake in 2010, wreckage recovery of the Cessna in the Etosha and last but not least the famine declared in East Africa in July 2011, where lots of aid was flown in during rescue missions.
Aviation is a very positive force in making the world a global village. The aviation industry contributes greatly to the safety and security of states, an area which tops the priority list of each and every state. Thanks to the governments that have put aviation on the national agenda and the true hard work that’s being done by the top managers of the industry. We all agree that 9/11 did the industry no favours at all. We still suffer the aftermath of it, the closure of many airlines, the long security checkpoints, the long queues, the many security questions, the long flight delays all at a cost, but still air transportation still remains the safest mode of travel and the men and women behind the industry continue to work hard to realise Vission 2030.
Having read about the significance of aviation to your country and yourself, how much are you doing to conserve the industry? Do Namibians really appreciate and understand the significance of keeping Air Namibia afloat? My very good friend and former Minister of Transport Hon. Dr. Moses Amweelo used to educate us a lot in the newspapers about the industry, what an aircraft is etc, but did we realy read and take it on board? How many schools have paid visits to airports? How many life skills teachers have touched on careers in aviation? How many institutions have offered scholarships for studies in aviation.
Peterson Uakotoka Tjitemisa (BSc, MSc, Araes)