El-Kallawi content with NAC strategy progress

The Namibia Airports Company adopted their Vision 2017 strategy in May 2014 and since then great strides have been made. Goals for phases one and two which we had called Stop & Fix and Stabilise & Maintain have been achieved, according to Tamer El-Kallawi, CEO of NAC.
“I am happy with the progress thus far and am looking forward to achieving and completing phase three as well, which amounts to expansion and growth,” he added.
El-Kallawi said that some of the highlights of the past year included the licensing of Hosea Kutako International Airport as well as other achievements surrounding the airport such as the new fire vehicles and safety gear which was celebrated in February this year.
“The licensing of the airport is no small feat. People do not realize what it entails, namely a process which goes through 5 phases and there have been new standards which we had to adhere to before being accredited. Walvis Bay will also soon be licensed and we look forward to that,” he added.
Other highlights mentioned by the CEO were the airshow which took place at Hosea Kutako and the fact that the NAC now has a risk and compliance team and board who look at all the safety and security aspects.
“We have never had such a team before and this is vital as safety and security is our first priority,” emphasized El-Kallawi.
The Ondangwa inauguration of the terminal building which included the transformation from military to commercial airport; the runway upgrade, the complete Walvis Bay overhaul and also initiatives such as the new restaurant at the Eros Airport and the achievement of a complete EXCO team are all milestones achieved over the last year and a half.
When looking at challenges El-Kallawi said that the greatest challenge are financial constraints, which hinder NAC in finalizing more projects and being able to tackle phase three which would comprise of expansion and growth.
“We are not receiving some of the money due to us, be it from partners or customers, some of which have not paid us for the past 12 months. This is obviously a huge concern and a major stumbling block in our quest to tick all blocks on our to-do list,” he said.
Other challenges facing NAC are skilled staff and the constant investments that need to be made in all areas to remain competitive and most importantly to remain up to standard with international regulations.
NAC is looking forward to the next year when they can tackle numerous new projects, while finalizing current ones. “We are excited about 2016 and am confident that our financial woes which currently hamper growth and expansion will be a thing of the past and we can make everyone proud of NAC and their mandate,” said El-Kallawi.