NAMIBIA AVIATION AND CONNECTIVITY FORUM

A chance to rethink and reimagine aviation

Let us imagine for a moment what the future of African aviation could be like. One could think of Namibia’s local airlines being the pride of the continent. Or, our airports being the hubs that connect Southern Africa to the rest of the world. One could also think of a future where flying to any destination within Namibia is the norm for the average citizen. Or, if you would humour me for a second, we would not need to fly to Europe, Dubai, or Qatar in order to connect to a neighbouring African country.

Maybe that is just me, but I believe that this is a fair enough dream for anyone to have for the future of aviation. In fact, it has been the collective vision of the African Union through its flagship Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and locally, through the Harambee Prosperity Plan, Vision 2030 and the National Development Plans. What perhaps is yet to happen is an honest and inclusive conversation about how all of this can be made possible, and how each facet of the industry can be involved in making this a reality.

Well, that is, until now.

The recent Covid-19 pandemic, being a black swan event in its ghastly nature, could arguably in a twisted way be one of the best things to have happened to local and regional aviation.

For once we are all in this together, reeling from the effects of the pandemic, mourning the loss of some airlines, and some having barely survived. It is time to talk. Have we done things right? Have we done all we could? Are we ready to confront our past mistakes? (If any have in fact been made.) Can we face uncomfortable truths, and perhaps a turbulent transition that a new normal may bring about?

As a lifelong aviation enthusiast, I know I am not the only one who has had these thoughts and questions over the past two years. We have all felt the heartbreak over the loss of a few regional airlines; felt the sadness and gloom of airports being reduced into virtual ghost towns. Not to mention the financial and economic impact of these events.

What we do know is the fact that it is refreshing that everyone – in both the private and public sector – has agreed that we are ready to reimagine and rethink aviation in Namibia. Perhaps the complacency is gone. Most importantly, we are all ready to have those conversations which we either have not cared to have, or we have had but the urgency of which has been lost to all of us. In that regard, Namibia has indeed chosen to lead the way with the Namibia Aviation and Connectivity Forum.

A first of its kind, and coming on the heels of the pandemic, the Forum seeks to define what the future of Namibian aviation will look like. This Forum brings together all players in the Namibian and regional aviation ecosystem to address the key issues faced by the industry, as well as determine the future of the aviation landscape in Namibia as well as the region.

In addition to the main Forum event to be held from 16 to 18 November 2022 at the Safari Court Conference Centre in Windhoek, ongoing collaborative working groups have been engaging in the lead-up to the event to deliberate over key issues of concern in the aviation industry. Matters such as cargo development, route development, skills development, regulatory reforms, and building a resilient industry will be central to the discussions both at the main Forum event and in the various working groups.

An industry-wide initiative, the Namibia Aviation and Connectivity Forum has brought to the fore Namibia’s eagerness to evolve and lead the way in the region. At the end of the Forum, a collective industry white paper will lay the foundation for a new strategy – another first of its kind in the Namibian industry.

It is time for a new dawn in African aviation. Time to reinvent, time to think differently, and most importantly, time to acknowledge the need to build back better, together.

The Namibia Aviation and Connectivity Forum event will take place in Windhoek from 16 to 18 November. Register to attend the Forum by visiting www.namibiaaviationforum.com.

Verengai Ruswa

Project Lead: Namibia Aviation and Connectivity Forum