Nelson Thuhafeni Kalangula
Namibia only has 2 ICAO-standard international airports - the Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) with a runway length of 4 532 metres (m), located 45km on the eastern outskirts of Windhoek, and the Walvis Bay International Airport, 15km east of the town, with a runway of 3 500m, which mostly accommodates flights to and from South Africa.
The airport was upgraded and became our second international airport in 2016, which positioned it at the forefront of airport technology in southern Africa, a status that deserves full utilisation and promotion.
Eros Airport (runway – 2 229m) is one of the good airports we have, but is limited in operations due
to its position in the town of Windhoek. Airports like Andimba Toivo ya Toivo Airport (Ondangwa) with a runway at a length of
2 987m are not utilised to the fullest potential.
The same can be said with the less-developed airports like Ruacana (2 200m), Rundu (3 055m), Mpacha (2 295m) Katima Mulilo,
Keetmanshoop (2 316m), Oranjemund (1 600m) and Lüderitz (1 830m), which now has big potential with the fuel discovery. Aerodromes such as Swakopmund (1600m, gravel) also are in need of an upgrade for safety, security and further investor attraction.
The HKIA is the gateway to Namibia for international travellers, but it is located in the central part
of the country, making it in
convenient for people in the north and south. For further
advancement and future
expansion, Namibia needs to have many more airports similar or more advanced than HKIA. This will have to come with upgrades to advanced aviation technologies to accommodate and attract potential investors, for the most part, to avoid diverting to other neighbouring countries due to challenges that may affect landings and take-offs on the soil of Namibia.
Aviation mode of travelling is a conveyor for business in and out of the country, and should not be centred in one specific area of operation. Any country that has the ambition to develop and compete with the world would strive to have multiple entry and exit points. We cannot rely on one main international airport.
The recent visit of the Cuban president and the inability to get him to Omuthiya on time from HKIA is another reason why we need to expose other regions more. Here are some of the other reasons why Namibia needs more ICAO-standard international airports:
• To improve air connectivity and tourism - More international airports would make it easier for people to travel to Namibia, both from within Africa and from other parts of the world. This would boost tourism, which is a major contributor to the Namibian economy. The visitors can fly directly to their desired destination, which in turn creates more awareness of such places when added to form part of the many designated ICAO airport codes.
• To support economic development - Improved air connectivity would also help to attract foreign investment and businesses to Namibia. The money would flow into the regions from outside, thus creating an exchange of foreign currency, and
introducing new opportunities
for those in many different
supporting fields. This would create jobs and boost economic growth, which can aid with the reduction of the number of graduates in the streets.
• To improve disaster response -
In the event of a natural disaster, such as a flood, wildfire, drought, pandemic, etc., international airports and well-equipped airports can facilitate with their services to assist and make it easier to deliver relief supplies and personnel to affected areas.
• To promote regional
integration - Namibia is located
in a strategic location in southern Africa, and with many
developments such as the fuel discovery and the recent expansion of BRICS, we should expect an
influx of investors and visitors in the region and from that, we expect to benefit from it. More international airports would help to promote regional integration and
cooperation, so it is paramount to focus on these plans to avoid losing out in future.
The Namibian government, through the line ministry and the Namibia Airports Company, have plans to upgrade more airports in the country such as Rundu. The questions to mind are at what pace, and to which status are these upgrades? Do we still have time, or do we need to work overtime to catch up on the international community?
Steps and plans appear to be in place, but progress is slow when compared to the rest of the globe. It is my opinion that there is an urgent need to double up and prepare for what is coming.
These airports would help to improve air connectivity and
tourism in the northern and
southern parts of the country.
The Namibian government should expedite plans to improve the existing airports. This includes upgrading runways, taxiways and terminal buildings, and in the same vein investing in new air navigation equipment to improve safety and efficiency.
The development of more ICAO-standard international airports is an important part of Namibia's economic development strategy. By improving air connectivity, the government hopes to attract more tourists, businesses and investment to the country. This would create jobs, and boost economic growth. Airports are very strategic to any country. Avoid battles which can put a halt to aviation operations in the country, like what happened at
HKIA with the Menzies/Paragon case. We should plan ahead, and expand this industry to strengthen and empower the local aviation participants.
This can potentially be part
of our job- creation plans for the country, which will guarantee employment with more impactful opportunities to cater for all participants in the long run.
* Captain/Flight Lieutenant Nelson Tuhafeni Kalangula is a former Namibian Airforce helicopter pilot, an aviation safety and aircraft accident investigation certificate holder, author in the making, with a Bachelor of Commerce Honours and B-Tech Business Administration degrees in academic qualifications.