Process Over Political Promises: An Air Operating Licence Is Not an Airline
The announcement by the Transport Commission granting a preliminary Air Operating Licence (AOL) for Namibia Air has been framed as a major milestone. However, the public must not be misled by political rhetoric. An AOL is merely an administrative permit to plan an airline structure; it does not authorise a single aircraft to take off.
To operate commercial flights, an entity must secure an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). This is a rigorous five-phase safety and technical certification that typically takes six to twelve months. Given that securing the preliminary licence alone took eight months, promising commercial flights by December, less than four months away, raises serious concerns regarding procedural shortcuts and unrealistic political timelines.
Before taking on commercial fleet liabilities, the Ministry must satisfy three non-negotiable aviation pillars:
Accountable Postholders: Vetting qualified, uncompromised leadership to oversee safety and quality.
Certified Maintenance & Aircraft: Establishing certified MRO contracts, spare-parts logistics, and type-ratings.
Operational Facilities: Providing a fully equipped, physical operational control centre.
We demand the immediate publication of the N$20 million feasibility study, total operational budget details, and signed bilateral airline agreements. Aviation safety cannot be bypassed for political convenience.
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