Ondangwa Airport runway under rehab

The Namibia Airports Company earlier this week said that the ageing Ondangwa airport runway will undergo rehabilitation.The runway will be extended to allow the Embraer135 aeroplane to turn around by constructing a turn pad at 1,200meter from the initial threshold of Runway 08. Ondangwa Airport Manager, Erastus Shoombe, said in a statement that the rehabilitation will allow for a runway length sufficient for the operations of the Embraer 135 air-plane also allowing for acceptable conditions for the next rehabilitation phase of the runway.

Shoombe said that the ageing  Ondangwa Airport runway developed cracks in various areas. Added Shoombe, “This situation constitutes a safety hazard to aircraft operating to and from the Ondangwa Airport. It has been raised as a safety concern by the stakeholders such as the airliners and the regulator and as the Namibia Airports Company values safety and security as highest priority we are addressing it immediately.” During this phase, aircraft operation acan continue on the eastern side of the runway.
This phase is planned to begin early 2015. Commenting on NAC’s three year strategic plan. acting Chief Executive Officer, Tamer El-Kallawi said, “Our 2014 – 2017 strategic plan obviously focuses on numerous facets of the business but since implementation of this plan, we can already proudly look back at a number of achievements, most importantly the safety and security aspect at the airports.” With the turnaround strategy El-Kallawi said that the company has committed itself to providing world class airport services. “We will ensure that all our airports, especially, Hosea Kutako International Airport abide to the international safety and security standards so that all our clients can have an exhilarating and memorable experience,” he said.