Staff Writer
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Namibia (AOPA Namibia) has received special international recognition at the 31st World Assembly of the International Council of AircraftOwner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA), held recently in Bad Homburg, Germany.
AOPA Namibia received an award for its “exceptional support and dedication to the international general aviation community.”
The award recognises the association’s sustained work in representing aircraft owners and pilots, promoting proportionate aviation regulation, protecting access to airspace and aviation infrastructure, and supporting the continued development of general aviation in Namibia and the wider region.
AOPA Namibia president and IAOPA regional vice president for Africa and the Middle East, Riaan Burger, accepted the award on behalf of the association.
“This recognition belongs to the members and colleagues who consistently give their time and expertise to general aviation,” Burger said.
“AOPA Namibia’s work is undertaken largely by committed volunteers who understand the importance of aviation to a country with Namibia’s vast distances and dispersed communities.”
Burger also acknowledged the contribution made by the Government of Namibia and the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in establishing and maintaining a generally enabling aviation environment.
“Credit must go to the Government of Namibia for the generally enabling aviation environment it has established, and to the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority for its constructive engagement with the general aviation community. Continued cooperation between government, the NCAA and the aviation community will be essential to protecting Namibia’s strengths and realising its considerable potential as an aviation and tourism destination,” Burger said.
During the World Assembly, Burger presented an overview of the state of general aviation across Africa and the Middle East.
He highlighted the significant differences between countries where general aviation remains well established and those where regulation, cost, infrastructure constraints and complex administrative requirements have severely limited aviation opportunities.
Namibia was presented as a positive example of a country where general aviation continues to serve as a valuable means of personal transport and
“Namibia offers a combination that few aviation destinations can match,” Burger said.
“We have extraordinary landscapes, favourable flying conditions, relatively uncongested airspace and an extensive network of airfields and private landing strips. Light aircraft allow visitors to experience our wildlife destinations, remote lodges, the Namib Desert and the Atlantic coastline in a truly distinctive way.”
Burger said Namibia has an opportunity to position itself as a leading African destination for private aviation tourism and organised flying tours.
