Airport authorities conduct emergency training

NAMPA

The Namibia Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Namibia Airports Company are currently engaged in an airport emergency planning workshop.

The five-day workshop which started on Monday is being attended by all key stakeholders from across the aviation industry, including the Namibian Police, Namibian Defence Force and City of Windhoek.

It is being facilitated by instructors from the world-renowned Singapore Aviation Academy.

In a statement issued on Tuesday the NAC said the workshop was meant to allow key stakeholders to plan and respond to acts of unlawful interference as per the International Civil Aviation Organisation and International Air Transport Association regulations.

NAC acting strategic executive Albert Sibyeya was quoted in the statement as saying that with the emergence of world-wide attacks against airports, security in the aviation industry could only be effective as long as people received appropriate training to carry out their jobs efficiently and effectively.

NCCA director Angelina Simana said it was the responsibility of the two organisations to ensure that contingency plans were developed for all Namibian airports.

Simana emphasised that resources must be made available to safeguard civil aviation against any unlawful acts.

She said the NAC and NCAA needed to work together to ensure that the safety and security of the national airports met international standards and adhered to regulations.

The NCAA recently renewed the airport operating licence for Hosea Kutako International Airport under the management of NAC. The licence expires on 31 July 2018.