Sostenus Wilherm
Walvis Bay International Airport’s airspace has reportedly been downgraded to Class G uncontrolled airspace, triggering concerns from the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) over air traffic control capacity, aviation safety and repeated failures in the provision of critical weather information.
The concern was raised by IPC shadow minister of works and transport Nelson Kalangula on Wednesday, following questions raised in parliament on Tuesday about delays and inaccuracies in Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAFs).
Kalangula said the party had reviewed the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued in connection with the situation and was concerned that the airport’s airspace had been downgraded.
“This sudden downgrade represents a major operational setback for Namibia’s aviation sector and threatens the reliability of our secondary international gateway,” Kalangula said.
According to the IPC, the downgrade means that while visual flight operations may continue under suitable weather conditions, the airport’s airspace would no longer have the same level of controlled-airspace services.
The party warned that this could become particularly problematic when Walvis Bay experiences coastal fog and reduced visibility.
The Namibia Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) describes NOTAMs as urgent, safety-critical notices used to alert pilots and flight dispatchers to temporary or time-sensitive changes that could affect flight operations.
The authority also says operators are responsible for monitoring the latest NOTAM information before flights.
The latest development follows concerns over delays in issuing TAFs, which provide forecast weather information for aviation operations.
Kalangula said the TAF delays had already contributed to operational disruptions, including commercial aircraft being diverted from Walvis Bay to Hosea Kutako International Airport.
“Diverting aircraft over 400 kilometres inland due to avoidable administrative and air navigation service failures imposes unacceptable financial burdens on airlines, disrupts passenger itineraries, and damages Namibia’s reputation as a dependable regional logistics and tourism hub,” he said.
The IPC argues that the situation points to broader problems within air navigation services, including possible shortages of certified Air Traffic Control Officers, qualified meteorological personnel and technical infrastructure.
Kalangula said Class G airspace removes mandatory air traffic control separation services, meaning pilots have to manage the sequencing of aircraft themselves while operating in an area known for rapidly changing coastal weather.
“This failure highlights underlying structural issues within the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Air Navigation Services,” he said, pointing to possible staffing and infrastructure deficiencies.
The concerns come as Walvis Bay International Airport continues to be developed as an important aviation and logistics gateway.
In July, the Namibia Airports Company announced the installation of a new flight information display system worth about N$1.3 million, intended to improve communication with passengers and coordination of airport operations.
The IPC is now demanding that the minister of works and transport, Veikko Nekundi provide a detailed public account of the reasons behind the airspace downgrade and the recent TAF delays.
The party also wants emergency resources, including qualified air traffic control personnel and technical support, deployed to restore the airport’s controlled-airspace status.
Kalangula called for uninterrupted aviation meteorological services, including continuous weather monitoring and timely transmission of TAFs, to prevent further flight diversions.
He further wants Nekundi to brief parliament on the country’s air navigation readiness and present a recovery plan addressing the possibility of similar airspace downgrades at other airports.
“Namibia’s aviation infrastructure is a cornerstone of our national economy, international trade, and tourism. We cannot allow operational negligence to undermine our airspace safety or regional economic standing,” Kalangula said.
