Swakop council backs N$400m airport expansion
• Has potential to boost local economy
Swakopmund is set to invest more than N$443 million into the phased redevelopment of its municipal aerodrome, following the council’s adoption on Tuesday of a final feasibility report.
The document maps out a structured path to regulatory compliance, infrastructure upgrades and long-term economic return.
The aerodrome, currently limited to small aircraft, scenic flights, skydiving and occasional emergency services, will not be relocated – a possibility once raised in early planning documents.
Instead, the facility will undergo a three-phase upgrade that includes construction of a surfaced runway, new terminal building, taxiways, lighting, fuel systems and public access roads.
The current gravel-surfaced runways and basic infrastructure will be fully modernised under the plan.
The largest share of the expected capital expenditure of N$443 million is earmarked for building works, estimated at over N$232 million.
In contrast, the council’s most recent capital budget for the 2025/26 financial year allocated just N$535 000 for minor upgrades and maintenance of the aerodrome.
That allocation, which covers basic safety compliance, was described as necessary “to ensure the continued safe use of the aerodrome” and noted it's current role in “tourism, emergency services, and small-scale aviation activity”.
Increase value
Despite earlier criticism of the consultant’s work, council accepted the final version submitted in March this year.
“The aerodrome does not have the potential to be an international airport, but it can increase its contribution value to council’s assets as well as to the economy of Swakopmund,” general manager for engineering and planning services Clarence McClune noted in his final assessment.
The feasibility study warns that while revenue could double to between N$1.8 million and N$2.1 million following the upgrades, this would still be far below the expected annual operating expenses of more than N$8 million.
The report recommends that council commission a separate commercial development plan to assess market demand, consult aviation operators and identify opportunities for non-aeronautical income generation.
“This includes demand assessment, consultation with operators and a competitive analysis of the aerodrome’s role in relation to Walvis Bay,” the consultant noted in the report.
Council also resolved to pursue development of two adjacent land parcels zoned for airport-related expansion under the Swakopmund Structure Plan 2020–2040. These are marked as proposed airport site (N1) and proposed airport estate (N2). Expressions of interest will be invited and assessed by the investment coordination committee, with a view to introducing public-private partnerships.
The document maps out a structured path to regulatory compliance, infrastructure upgrades and long-term economic return.
The aerodrome, currently limited to small aircraft, scenic flights, skydiving and occasional emergency services, will not be relocated – a possibility once raised in early planning documents.
Instead, the facility will undergo a three-phase upgrade that includes construction of a surfaced runway, new terminal building, taxiways, lighting, fuel systems and public access roads.
The current gravel-surfaced runways and basic infrastructure will be fully modernised under the plan.
The largest share of the expected capital expenditure of N$443 million is earmarked for building works, estimated at over N$232 million.
In contrast, the council’s most recent capital budget for the 2025/26 financial year allocated just N$535 000 for minor upgrades and maintenance of the aerodrome.
That allocation, which covers basic safety compliance, was described as necessary “to ensure the continued safe use of the aerodrome” and noted it's current role in “tourism, emergency services, and small-scale aviation activity”.
Increase value
Despite earlier criticism of the consultant’s work, council accepted the final version submitted in March this year.
“The aerodrome does not have the potential to be an international airport, but it can increase its contribution value to council’s assets as well as to the economy of Swakopmund,” general manager for engineering and planning services Clarence McClune noted in his final assessment.
The feasibility study warns that while revenue could double to between N$1.8 million and N$2.1 million following the upgrades, this would still be far below the expected annual operating expenses of more than N$8 million.
The report recommends that council commission a separate commercial development plan to assess market demand, consult aviation operators and identify opportunities for non-aeronautical income generation.
“This includes demand assessment, consultation with operators and a competitive analysis of the aerodrome’s role in relation to Walvis Bay,” the consultant noted in the report.
Council also resolved to pursue development of two adjacent land parcels zoned for airport-related expansion under the Swakopmund Structure Plan 2020–2040. These are marked as proposed airport site (N1) and proposed airport estate (N2). Expressions of interest will be invited and assessed by the investment coordination committee, with a view to introducing public-private partnerships.
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