Maintaining high levels of safety in aviation is a non-negotiable priority for the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The Senior Manager of Personal Licensing at the NCAA, Rodney Theron, said when new rules or amendments are proposed, the Civil Aviation Authority will always ensure levels of safety are guaranteed.
Speaking at the Namibia Aviation Safety and Security conference in Windhoek, Theron emphasised that safety and security are paramount in the aviation industry.
However, he said there is always a need to strike a balance between commercial interests and safety in the industry, while regulatory practices must also be in balance with protection to avoid over- or under-regulation.
"Maintaining aviation standards is a process that requires continual improvement. Only when we strive for better standards will we truly grow from a reactive to a predictive safety system, and this is one to which we all need to contribute to make it happen. Only by careful research, consultation, and benchmarking can effective regulations keep us safe, secure, and thriving. Risks can never be totally eliminated in operations; they must be lowered to an acceptable level of safety where further mitigation is not commercially feasible."
Results of a Continuous Monitoring Approach audit held in March this year gave Namibia's aviation industry a 72.3% safety rating.
However, the Senior Manager of Safety Promotion and Quality at the NCAA, George Matroos, pointed out that the authority identified areas of improvement that are diligently being addressed.
"We need to make sure that the future is secured; we build on it. We are not going to make sure that 72% remains stagnant next year; we are going to 80%, if not higher, and then we are going to compete with the likes of Singapore."
The conference will focus on enhancing aviation safety and security through collaborative discussions on strategies to strengthen these critical areas within Namibia's aviation sector.
"The aviation industry is constantly evolving, and it is crucial that we as stakeholders remain proactive. Recent advancements include the upgrading of Namibia's surveillance systems and the renovation of key air navigation facilities, such as the HKIA control tower and the Eros Airport control centre. These upgrades not only modernise our infrastructure but also enhance the safety and efficiency of our airspace," said Ministry of Works and Transport Executive Director, Esther Kaapanda.
The three-day conference is being held under the theme 'Strengthening Namibia's Aviation: A Future Built on Safety and Security'.