The chaotic situation that prevailed at Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) since the weekend seemingly subsided as the Namibia Airports Company (NAC) on Wednesday afternoon stated that operations were back to normal. However, South African-based regional airline, Airlink, yesterday stated it has suspended cargo operations to HKIA pending required certification by the new ground handler.
Airline passengers and cargo customers were left in a frenzy since Saturday, 19 August when ground handling services at the international airport were taken over by Paragon Aviation Services from Menzies Aviation Namibia. The latter ceased providing the aforesaid services at HKIA on Friday, 18 August 2023.
“We can only restore cargo operations when Paragon’s aviation security - including dangerous goods handling – and other cargo handling certifications, approvals, and protocols are in place. If Airlink continues providing a cargo service at Windhoek without these, the integrity of its operations and international aviation safety and security will be compromised,” read an Airlink statement. An airline spokesperson yesterday confirmed Airlink is in discussion with Paragon which would hopefully result in the lifting of the cargo suspension. In response, Paragon Aviation’s Lazarus Jacobs stated the company is fully licensed by relevant authorities to manage ground handling.
“This issue of certificates and embargoes due to so-called ‘security issues’ are just side-shows and alarmist propaganda,” Jacobs stated. The NAC stated it is regrettable that some stakeholders seem intent on spreading falsehoods about Paragon’s industry certifications and capacity to render ground handling services at HKIA.
“NAC avails itself of this opportunity to pointedly deny the untruthful information referred to above. The aforesaid allegations are devoid of truth as Paragon’s relevant certifications by the civil aviation industry’s regulator, i.e., the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) are well documented and readily available for objective verification. Albeit NAC cannot fathom the rationale for the dissemination of misleading information by the aforesaid stakeholders. We hereby implore airlines and all other stakeholders to first proactively ascertain the actual state of affairs from Paragon, the NCAA as well as the NAC to avert a recurrence of misleading the public about Paragon’s capacity and certification to render ground handling services at HKIA,” stated NAC CEO, Bisey /Uirab.
When Paragon assumed ground handling duties on Saturday, three flights unilaterally elected to divert to Johannesburg on their own volition. /Uirab stated that their decision had nothing to do with any conditions at HKIA, including the requisite capacity to provide relevant ground handling services to such flights. Qatar Airways returned to HKIA the following morning and Eurowings resumed regular operations at HKIA from Monday, 21 August.
“The new ground handling services provider, Paragon, has managed the transition capably, working closely with all airlines and relevant stakeholders. Baggage arrival times on the carousels have also improved, notably with priority baggage receiving the deserved attention. We are grateful to our airline partners who have cooperated with Paragon during this transition, thereby ensuring a seamless move to a new ground handling service provider at HKIA,” /Uirab continued. Yesterday afternoon NAC noted that while Paragon awaits their accreditation for European-specific export cargo (ACC3 / RA3), airlines have resumed cargo movements.
“Accreditation for RA3-approved cargo is provided only after actual operations are observed by the person(s) conducting the audit and could therefore not be obtained prior to the change in the ground-handling service provider. Imports and exports through HKIA are active and direct exports to the EU can only happen once the ACC3 RA3 certification is attained. However, these exports can still be processed through alternative routes such as Johannesburg, Addis Ababa, Luanda, or Doha, for the EU zone,” the NAC explained.
Paragon has to date handled cargo for Ethiopian Airlines, South African Airways, Airlink and TAAG Angola, since Saturday, 19August 2023. Despite a temporary suspension, SAA recommenced cargo service to HKIA on Wednesday. The NAC also confirmed that cargo consultations are at an advanced stage with Airlink, Eurowings Discover and Qatar Airways.
Cargo warehouse
Cargo delivered at HKIA while Menzies was still in charge have since been locked up in airport warehouse facilities that were locked by the authorities at the time of the transition. This cargo continues to be retained and, in this regard, NAC requested an inventory list in order to ensure a timely release thereof. Paragon has been handling cargo and freight operations since the transition on Saturday. “NAC’s communication to Menzies and the other stakeholder referred to above stipulated that NAC’s request in this regard is strictly aimed at facilitating Menzies’ handover of the relevant cargo to Paragon for aforesaid purposes and should not be construed as conferring any rights and/or other entitlements whatsoever on Menzies as Menzies’ eviction from HKIA remains effective, as more fully set out in our correspondence to Menzies vis-a-vis the HKIA cargo handover arrangement forming the subject-matter of the said letter,” /Uirab stated.
He added that the NAC will follow-up with Menzies to hand over the said cargo to Paragon for it to be appropriately handled and handed over to respective customers.
Legal proceedings
Meanwhile, Menzies has instituted further urgent legal proceedings in the High Court seeking a court order permitting it to continue providing ground handling services at HKIA after being evicted from HKIA. After hearing the respective parties’ legal submissions, the High Court postponed the case to Friday, 1 September 2023 for delivery of judgment. Menzies instituted the additional legal proceedings on Tuesday, 23 August 2023, seeking similar and ancillary relief. No hearing date has been set in respect of Menzies’ latest court case.
Moreover, the NCAA yesterday stated that as a pivotal hub for both domestic and international aviation, HKIA’s seamless operations are of paramount importance.
“We hold in high regard the interests of all stakeholders and are tirelessly dedicated to ensuring the uninterrupted continuity of safe and efficient services”, read the statement issued by NCAA executive director, Toska Sem.