Our Q4 2023 Newsletter
Another year and hard to believe the festive season is around the corner again, after a mixed but generally optimistic year of continued economic recovery from the covid pandemic (lest we forget), oscillating from setback to progress, perhaps particularly as a result of the troubling backdrop of climate change, and almost planetary security instability. We’ve also seen a fitful start so far to the rainy season, but a classic albeit slightly skewed (el nino) ITCZ lurks to the north and east of Zambia (flooding northern Tanzania still) suggesting the heavy rain and severe thunderstorms to come. We’ll see!
For the AOOA, we have kept busy with numerous activities and aviation advocacy campaigns, including regularly engaging with partners and government authorities, attending industry meetings, and hosting aviation events and activities, such as Fly-In and Spot-landing Competitions, and participating in the AOOA Aviation Safety Forum (for example addressing safety issues of Category C Airfield/Airstrip Standards & Specifications).
During the year, we have seen the commissioning and growth of Lusaka’s new International Terminal 1, while our Domestic Terminal 2 (the old terminal building) is also up and running albeit with some works still in progress. International, Domestic and General Aviation aircraft Apron (Ramp) parking facilities at KKIA are now operational and very welcome. Just a few weeks ago, the new Kasama Airport was opened as the latest of Zambia’s Provincial Airports to be re-furbished following Chipata, Mansa, Mongu, Solwezi, and of course Livingstone and Ndola!
For the year-ending, International Aviation Day takes place on 7th December, and the CAA has organized events to celebrate aviation’s contribution to the global economy. Then on Friday 15th December at 17 hrs the AOOA is hosting (courtesy of Niner Juliet Logistics) a Braai event to celebrate the work of ZACL’s and GATCOZ Air Traffic Controllers in Zambia. Please join us if you can.
AOOA Executive Committee
We’d like to thank all our Executive Committee members for their amazing support over the year, and particularly from our Secretariat (Rob, Gareth and Lindsay) which keeps us running from day to day. We’d also like to welcome some new Committee members and Officers, including Neddy Banda and Gillian Coventry (oversight of Aviation Security and Safety respectively), and Nyasha and Eugin Chimuka who joined us recently to assist with administration. Thank you all.
Key AOOA activities over the past 18 months
Successfully negotiated with ZAF the reinstatement of monthly block clearances as per historic practice (suspended in early 2021).
Facilitated the reduction of overtime fees for flight operations outside airport published opening hours.
Successfully negotiated implementation of a reduction in parking fees for Aircraft weighing 0 - 5 tons (5,000 kgs).
Initiated and successfully completed the process with ZCAA for the approval of non-type certified aircraft (E.g. Sling 2) for ab initio pilot training in Zambia.
Initiated the process with ZCAA for approving Declared Training Organisations.
Represented the aviation community on the ZACL Airport Facilitation Committee and the ZACL Stakeholders’ Forum of which we are a member, and other ZACL platforms.
Represented the aviation community on the ZCAA Search and Rescue Committee as a member.
Represented the aviation community at Aviation Sector Support Program II (ASSP II) meetings under the Ministry of Transportation.
Work in progress developing a joint AOOA/ZCAA policy resolution consultative panel to address issues arising from our AOOA/ZCAA 2022 working agenda (pending an update with ZCAA’s new leadership and organizational structure).
Represented Zambia’s Aviation Sector on TCZ.
In closing, can I appeal to our members and would-be members to continue supporting us as best you can, if nothing else other than by joining the Association https://www.aooa-zambia.org/membership, participating in our activities, and giving us the mandate and means to continue our work. You can also find more information on our website here or directly from our Membership Representative Eugin on admin@aooa-zambia.org / +260 963483869. AOOA membership is available on a flexible variety of affordable levels!
It remains for me and my AOOA Executive Committee to wish you all a safe and Happy Festive season and New Year, thank you for your support, and we look forward to working with you and sharing aviation events and activities in the year to come, 2024! The AOOA IS your Aviation Platform in Zambia.
Blue Skies, Clear Waters and Green Environment!
Josias Walubita Richard Jeffery
AOOA President AOOA Vice-President
On behalf of the AOOA Executive Committee and Members