NAC attributes financial stability to strategy
The Namibia Airports Company (NAC) is a self-sustaining public company which does not require government financial bailouts thanks to its 2014 -2017 turnaround strategy, according to NAC Board Chairperson Ndeuhala Lewis.
Lewis said this at the occasion of the inauguration of the Walvis Bay International Airport Terminal Building last week, which was opened by the President HE Dr Hage Geingob.
“I am delighted to report that our recent turnaround strategy has been successful in realigning the organisation towards safety and security and has created a solid foundation for expansion and growth,” she said.
“It is important to report that we fund our own operational budget and are not recipients of the much loathed, ‘bailout’. In this sense, your Excellency, NAC is financially sound,” she added proudly.
Lewis said the facility at Walvis Bay International Airport was constructed to a total cost of N$100 million and is complemented by other significant developments at the airport.
“Complementary to the terminal building a new runway at this airport was also completed for N$202 million and it is constructed to meet the design requirements for Code 4F which can accommodate multiple widebody aircraft such as the Airbus 380,” she said
“Walvis Bay Airport is also equipped with a modern state of the art fire station completed in 2011 at a cost of N$10million. The Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Category is currently at CAT 6 and is expected to move to a higher category in the near future in line with the anticipated increased category of aircraft movement at this airport,” she boasted.
Lewis also highlighted that virtually all our airports under the auspices of the NAC were military airports designed for military operations and they have always been significant to Namibia’s development.
“These airports served us well when air traffic was low and the Namibian aviation industry was in its infancy. In order to cater for the 21st century aviation requirements, it was necessary to embark on a vigorous infrastructure development exercise to upgrade all our Airports to international standards.”
NAC, Lewis said, completely redeveloped Ondangwa Airport and Walvis International Airport into new modern airports capable of assuming international airport status.
At Eros Airport, she said, they have just started the redevelopment process with the recent completion of a modern fire station and have added a rescue and fire fighting vehicle as well as security screening equipment.
“Lüderitz Airport has a new fire station, refurbished terminal building and a polymer perimeter fencing similar to that of Walvis Bay Airport while Keetmanshoop Airport is earmarked for training and servicing of aircraft and this airport has one of the best runways in the country,” she said.
Meanwhile, Lewis said, the runway at Hosea Kutako International Airport has been rehabilitated and an international standard water reticulation system has been installed for fire-fighting. Hosea Kutako also have four new rescue and fire fighting vehicles, airport security screening equipment and two apron buses.
