NAC gets interim airports licensing from the NCAA

Namibia Airports Company (NAC) last week received interim airport operating licences for all eight airports, having a week earlier timeously submitted licence applications to the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). Hosea Kutako International Airport and Walvis International Airport were issued interim licences with aerodrome certificates valid for 18 months until 5 May 2022, while the Andima Toivo Ya Toivo Airport at Ondangwa was issued with an interim aerodrome licence also valid for 18 months.

The previously unlicensed aerodromes Eros, and the four regional airports of Rundu, Katima Mulilo, Lüderitz and Keetmanshoop airports, have been issued with interim aerodrome licences valid for 24 months until 5 November 2022.

The NCAA will continue to review the submissions by the NAC before issuing airport operating licences which are valid for up to two years.

The new licensing requirements for each airport included: Application Packages, Aerodrome Manuals, Aerodrome Emergency Management Systems, Maintenance Programs, Runway Safety Programs, Quality Assurance and Safety Management Systems, Organisational Capabilities, Staffing and Training, Aerodrome Layouts and Engineering Plans, Financial Statements in Good Order, Airport Fire Fighting Capabilities and Environmental Clearances.

The new regulations have new categories for Namibia’s airports, which are: Category A – certified airports with International capabilities, which are Hosea Kutako International Airport and Walvis Bay International Airport; and Category C – licensed airports handling aircraft up to 60 000 kg, which are Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo Airport), Eros Airport, Rundu Airport, Katima Mulilo Airport, Keetmanshoop Airport ( FYKT) and Lüderitz Airport (FYLZ).

“As we strive for safe, secure and environmentally sustainable airports, ensuring compliance with our civil aviation regulatory framework, develop our infrastructure to meet the new requirements, transform ou r organisational culture and enhance our stakeholder relations, this is a significant achievement,” said NAC’s chief executive officer, Bisey /Uirab.