Windhoek
The Namibia Airports Company (NAC) has confirmed the renewal of annual aerodrome licences for Hosea Kutako International Airport and Ondangwa Airport. The new licences are valid until July 31, 2017.
NAC chief executive officer Tamer El-Kallawi says his company will continue to pursue airport safety and security, and conform to applicable civil aviation regulations.
“Again we have demonstrated our ability to meet the stringent regulations of the aviation industry, underpinned by our mission of safe and secure airports for Namibia’s prosperity,” said El-Kallawi.
NAC has undertaken major capital investment at Ondangwa Airport in the upgrade of the passenger terminal building to the value of N$84 million, and the rehabilitation of the runway and expansion are due for completion end of August 2016.
“Once completed the airport will accommodate bigger and larger aircraft such as the Airbus A 319, and the fire and rescue category will be upgraded to a Category 4 C,” El-Kallawi explained.
NAC pointed out that it has invested heavily in scanners to secure airports as well as new conveyor belts to facilitate baggage handling to improve operational efficiency.
Human capital is also prioritised to ensure implementation of projects for safe and secure airports.
“We have invested N$6.5 million towards the development programmes of our young dynamic graduate engineers responsible for infrastructure development and airport maintenance. An amount of approximately N$6.2 million was invested towards our risk and compliance team to guide the organisation of safety and quality assurance procedures… An amount of N$3.6 million was invested in our fire and rescue trainees to increase the shift strengths at all our fire stations.
“NAC operates in a heavily regulated environment and will continue to pursue fulfilling its mandate to enhance passenger experience at all its airports,” El-Kallawi said.