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As efforts to change the country’s economic scales persist to affect activities of various stakeholders and sectors in the economy, aviation industry has also joined the bandwagon and is swiftly positioning itself to support the country’s diversification efforts.

Formerly Department of Civil Aviation, now Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB) an autonomous body, the authority has a series of activities initiated to revolutionize the aviation industry.

Meshasha Belayneh the man at the helm of CAAB recently shared with The Business Diary some of the activities the Authority has undergone to create a competitive aviation sector in the country.

“The transition was not an easy task, to come up with different policy and procedures and put systems in place,” said Belayneh adding that the Authority is not yet smooth sailing, though significant achievements have been recorded.

“We are still working on policy and procedures but now it’s not as heavy as it was before. All the essential systems are in place.”

He said the organisation is now functioning properly and the improvements reflect the new reality.

So far since the establishment of CAAB, the economy has witnessed several developments at the country’s airports. Sir Seretse Khama International Airport had new terminal building while construction at Francistown airport is nearing completion.

Belayneh further said SSKIA will have phase two of the construction – commercial area, finished before end of the year.

“Phase two has nothing to do with operations of terminal. Essential elements are in place, it was originally planned to finish phase two earlier but it is now going to be sometime towards the end of the year.”

Commenting on other airport developments he said Maun airport has a new runaway under construction and funds continue to be sourced for the terminal building.  Kasane Airport design is expected to be finalised by end of July, after which tender bids will be floated on the market.

The development of airports is also expected to be extended to Ghanzi, Tsabong and Hunkutsi –the projects are expected to be held at design stage and continue should there be sufficient funds.

Apart from making strides in renovating existing airports CAAB has several other projects expected to help improve the aviation landscape. These include negotiating bilateral agreements with several countries such as Angola, Singapore, Ethiopia, Egypt, South Africa and drafting Aviation Security Bill for Botswana.

Belayneh said aviation security has to be in accordance with international standards, an area which he says CAAB still needs to improve on.

“Once drafted, it will be reference material on how security is to be handled. We will be comfortable to say our security is of international standards.”

The Authority’s endeveours has to date got support from a lot of entities both government and private.

He said the nation should understand that the revolution at CAA is not a luxury, but a requirement that has become a trend for different economies around the world.

“The decision to start an authority was very timely and important in the aviation industry. And we hope to be one of the shinning Authorities in the region and the continent.”

CAAB started operations last year and has over the year spent much of its time recruiting and setting up systems.