For immediate Release | December13th, 2016
CAAB CELEBRATES 2016 ACHIEVEMENTS
As the year 2016 draws to a close, The Civil Aviation Authority (CAAB) has seen 2016 being a year of growth and development for the organization and the aviation industry in Botswana, and celebrates the milestones that the organization has reached in the year. The Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB) is responsible for regulation and development of air transport, providing air navigation services, managing airports and advising Government on all aspects of civil aviation.
“In 2016, as Botswana celebrated 50 years of Independence, the CAAB celebrated this, and its own industry specific accolades. This year, the CAAB has been recognised by the European Union and bequeathed an award by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), both for the Botswana’s progress in resolving safety oversight deficiencies and continued improvement of the effective implementation (EI) of applicable ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS) ranking Botswana well above the world average” said the CAAB CEO Mr. Geoffrey Moshabesha.
“The implication of the EU ranking and its benefit to Botswana is that in accordance with the common criteria set out in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 2111/2005, air carriers from Botswana will remain excluded from the list of carriers subject to an operation ban within the EU,” explained Moshabesha.
The subsequent ICAO award, which was received by the then Minister of Transport and Communications and Country’s Aeronautical Authority, Honorable Tshenolo Mabeo, MP, at the special ceremony held at the Opening of the Plenary of the 39th Session of the ICAO Assembly in Montreal Canada on 27 September 2016 has been viewed as a major landmark in the growth of the aviation sector in Botswana.
Aviation experts from the 54 Member states, taking into account that AFCAC is a specialized agency of the African Union in the field of civil aviation.In attendance during this week-long meetings were partner organizationsincluding regional and international bodies such as the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), including industry stakeholders such as Boeing.In addition, in 2016 the CAAB hosted on behalf of the Government of Botswana, the 26th Extraordinary Plenary Session, Air Transport Committee and Technical Committee of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) in Gaborone. In attendance were some 200 delegates being Directors General of Civil Aviation Authorities and
“The meetings progressed very successfully with all key discussions and necessary resolutions on the development of air transport in Africa taking place. It was a great opportunity to update each other and exchange ideas on the African industry landscape, and were are quite proud as the CAAB to have been afforded the opportunity to host such a prestigious delegation,”Moshabesha expressed.
Great progress has similarly been made from an infrastructure perspective as all the airports are currently at varying stages of development. Once all projects have been completed, the CAAB expects that the airports will provide a conducive environment for the growth of the industry as well as playing a catalystic role in the development other sectors of the economy such as tourism and trade.
“We believe that these and other achievements that came to fruition in 2016 are indicative of the expected growthtrend, and we thus expect more of the same as we move into the future. It was through the support within Government, assistance of our partners and stakeholders,and through the hard work and dedication of the staff at CAAB that these accolades came to life; and we greatlythank all for their efforts,” he concluded.
–ENDS–
For further information please contact:
Mr. Modipe C. Nkwe
Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana
Email: mnkwe@caab.co.bw
Tel: +267 391 1106
ABOUT CAAB
The Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB) is a Statutory Corporation established by the Civil Aviation Act of 2004, and commenced full operations as an autonomous regulator on 1st April 2009. The continued existence of CAAB was provided for by the Civil Aviation Act, 2011 which repealed the previous Act establishing the Authority. Before its establishment, most of its functions were performed by the former Department of Civil Aviation (DCA).
CAAB under its airports management portfolio, is responsible for the operational oversight of SirSeretseKhama, Kasane, Francistown and Maun International Airports as well as the Selibe-Phikwe and Ghanzi Airport. The Authority is also responsible for strategic airfields dotted across the country, which are essential in cases of emergency rescues and are useful for the tourism sector.
The CAAB Board, Management and staff are proud to be key contributors to the economy of Botswana by enabling various sectors such as mining, agriculture, tourism and commerce to grow.
