By Petronella Sibeene
WINDHOEK
In anticipation of an increase in air traffic by over 36 percent during the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup to be hosted by neighbouring South Africa, Namibia has intensified initiatives aimed at strengthening its existing air traffic control measures.
President of the Namibian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NAMATCA), George Matroos, on Friday told New Era that air traffic congestion, not only from aircraft flying through Namibian airspace but also landing at its airports, would be inevitable during the 2010 World Cup.
“Air transport will be a major carrier of dignitaries, players, spectators and visitors to our neighbouring country South Africa, many passing through Namibia on their way to 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup,” said Matroos.
Already, air travel in Namibia has increased by over 15 percent since 2000, with 70 percent of tourists and business people who visit the country travelling by air.
From October 2006 to October 15, this year, air traffic controllers in Namibia managed 66 000 flights including arrivals, departures and overflights.
The Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication, Matroos said, has started preparations for the much-anticipated event. He said tenders to acquire a radar surveillance system that will assist safe operations in air traffic have already been sent out. The equipment is expected to be in operation towards the end of 2009.
He added that NAMATCA is also in the process of recruiting 12 air traffic controllers who will undergo intensive training and will be fully qualified for the job by 2010.
Recruitment comes in the face of an acute shortage of air traffic controllers.
Control towers within the country’s airports are severely understaffed as many experts in this field leave for greener pastures.
“The new challenge facing the air traffic control industry in Namibia is the retention of qualified controllers as more and more controllers resign in search of greener pastures,” he said.
Currently, there are 31 air traffic controllers in the country and more are threatening to leave. In a normal situation, a country like Namibia is supposed to have a minimum of 60 controllers.
“The loss of qualified controllers will put added pressure on the already understaffed system,” Matroos said. He explained that Namibian air controllers are preferred on the international market as they are equipped with skills highly in demand.
The country trains its staff to use the procedural system, which entails communicating with the pilot and using a three-dimensional sketch to be able to tell where the aircraft is.
Most countries use the advanced system called radar – a computerised way of controlling aircraft used by developed countries. The fact that most Namibians can use both the procedural and the radar systems makes them sought after internationally.
Poor salaries have also been cited in the staff exodus.
While Namibia cannot afford to pay market-related salaries given its small economy. Matroos said the association together with the ministry is in the process of introducing incentives such as car allowance and station allowance.
Another major project embarked on as the country prepares for the 2010 World Cup is renovation and expansion of the Walvis Bay Airport through support from the Spanish Embassy.
The airport will become the second international airport in the country by 2008. The upgrading of the airport started in July 2005 and involves improving the length and widening the runway, a new taxiway, apron air traffic control technology and a modern lighting system situated along the centre of the runway.
The facelift and additional features will enable the airport to meet the recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regarding large aircraft.
The upgrading would allow the largest aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus 380 to use the airport. The airport is also expected to serve as a stop-over and re-fuelling station for inter-continental flights.
Meanwhile, NAMATCA on Saturday joined the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations in celebrating the day of the controller. The celebrations are in recognition of the air traffic control profession and its considerable contribution to the development of the transport industry.
“The Namibia Air Traffic Controllers Association would therefore urge all controllers despite the hardships we face to remain committed and loyal and appreciate their profession,” said Matroos.
NAMATCA was formed in 1987 and its main objective is to protect and safeguard the interests of the air traffic control profession in Namibia.