Aviation sector pushes back against proposed military no-fly zone in Erongo

A proposal by the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) to convert a military base near Karibib into permanently prohibited airspace has triggered concern among Namibia’s aviation sector, which warns the move could disrupt tourism, mining, emergency services and rural aviation across the Erongo region.

The disputed airspace, known as FYM-401, currently functions as a Military Operations Area (MOA) that can be activated temporarily for military exercises while still allowing civilian aircraft to transit through the area when it is inactive.

The proposal now under consideration would change that status and permanently close the airspace to civilian aviation.

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Namibia (AOPA) launched an online petition recently, opposing the plan, saying the change would remove a key corridor used by Namibia’s general aviation industry.

“This sudden prohibited airspace proposal by the NDF will adversely affect our entire aviation industry,” the organisation stated.

The association argued that permanently prohibiting the airspace would significantly impact aviation companies, pilots, aircraft owners and other industries that rely on aviation.

AOPA CEO Matt Totten told Namibian Sun the proposal was presented during a recent meeting of the National Airspace Committee.

“The NDF basically submitted a proposal that they want to convert their military operation area around Karibib and Omaruru into permanently prohibited airspace,” Totten said.

No consideration

According to AOPA, FYM-401 covers a large circular section of airspace centred between Karibib and Omaruru, stretching across the Erongo Mountains and including the towns of Omaruru, Karibib and Usakos.

Totten said AOPA Namibia was the only stakeholder at the meeting to object to the proposal.

The military representative said, ‘We think this will have virtually no impact on civilian aviation,’” Totten said. “But they had no thought or regard to the general aviation flights that use that corridor.”

He said the airspace serves as a key route for charter operators flying tourists between coastal and northern destinations.

Totten warned that closing the corridor would force aircraft to divert around the restricted zone, increasing flight times and fuel consumption.

Costly risks

The aviation industry has warned that these costs will ultimately be passed on to passengers and businesses. Tourism operators are expected to be particularly affected, as charter flights form a central component of travel between Namibia’s coastal towns and northern safari destinations.

Totten said several lodges and rural communities rely on air access.

“A lot of tourists visit some of these lodges in the Omaruru area, and that would be completely eliminated by the proposal,” he warned.

The proposed airspace would also affect numerous existing airstrips in the region. AOPA Namibia estimates that more than 17 aerodromes and landing strips fall within the boundaries of FYM-401, including the Omaruru Municipal Aerodrome and several lodge airstrips.

Some of these facilities have recently been upgraded, with operators investing in improved infrastructure. Totten said the proposal would effectively close those airfields.

Mining operations could also be affected.

National projects such as the Navachab gold mine and the developing Osino gold project fall within the proposed prohibited airspace. According to Totten, modern mining operations rely heavily on drone technology, which would require special permissions if the airspace becomes prohibited.

Still under consideration

Responding to questions from this media house, Colonel Petrus Shilumbu, defence ministry spokesperson, last Thursday emphasised that the proposal is still under discussion and has not yet been approved.

According to him, the matter currently before the National Airspace Committee is “a proposal for airspace reclassification” submitted for consideration by the committee.

He said the committee is the recognised national body responsible for managing Namibia’s airspace and includes representatives from civil aviation authorities, air traffic management, the aviation industry and relevant government institutions.

“This approach is consistent with international aviation standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, which provides that states must organise and regulate their airspace in a manner that ensures the safe and efficient use of airspace by both civil and military operators,” Shilumbu explained.

He said Namibia's airspace is regulated through the Namibian Civil Aviation Regulations and Aeronautical Information Publications, which provide mechanisms for establishing, modifying or reclassifying military airspace in coordination with civilian aviation stakeholders.

He further noted that, in this context, the responsible management of national airspace “must strike a careful balance between national security requirements and the continued growth of civilian aviation activities".

Special meeting

An extraordinary meeting of Namibia’s National Airspace Committee has been scheduled for 25 March to examine the proposal in detail.

Shilumbu said the meeting will allow stakeholders to discuss practical solutions that protect both the aviation industry and military operational needs.

“The NDF remains committed to working constructively with the aviation industry and other stakeholders to ensure that Namibia’s airspace is managed collaboratively, responsibly and in the national interest,” he said. “Aviation activity in Namibia continues to grow, and it is essential that the safety of the public remains the foremost consideration.”