17 May 2017

Stakeholders in the aviation industry have requested for more time to look at the proposed aeronautical charges for 2017 to facilitate smooth implementation.

Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB) chief executive officer, Mr Pusoetsile Moshabesha confirmed in an interview that after a closed engagement forum to review the proposed charges, stakeholders requested for more time to consult with their members, reconcile their budgets and give feedback before the implementation.

He said they have agreed to organise another meeting mid-July where stakeholders would present their input and at the end approve the document.

He also explained that it was their policy to consult stakeholders when they introduce new charges because they do not want to be seen to impose.

“We do not want to upset our stakeholders because they are our key partners in growing the industry hence we agreed to give them time. It is our mandate to engage and work together with them because we complement each other,” he added.

Furthermore, Mr Moshabesha appreciated stakeholders’ comments during their discussions noting that they were not opposing the proposed charges.

He was confident that the reviewed charges would go through adding that they had been providing service at a level that could not meet expenses.

He said if the new charges could be implemented, it would assist the authority to recover costs and improve service.

The proposed charges, he said were meant to improve air transport industry in the country.

However, Mr Moshabesha also revealed that a resolution had long been made to review charges on yearly basis but noted that the last review was done in 2011, approved in 2012 and implemented in 2013.

For the year, 2014, 2015 and 2016 there were no reviews.

The chief executive officer said if charges were not reviewed, the authority and the industry would be negatively affected.

Speaking on behalf of the CAAB board chairperson, Captain Temba Johnson said together, they could find lasting solutions to grow and sustain the aviation industry.

He believed that stakeholders would agree to what could be recommended to government and the rest of the partnering associates for approval and for the sake of the growth of the industry.

He said the proposed charges were based on internal technical documents as well as the review of charges of other neighbouring authorities.

Furthermore, he revealed that in order for CAAB to achieve an optimum balance, attention needs to be paid to the quality and level of service, passenger volumes and level of charges.

Meanwhile, the proposed reviews and adjustment were guided by the following; minimizing the need for an operational subsidy required for CAAB from government while concurrently supporting the economic developmental of the authority.

This also includes finding the optimum balance between the need to charge rates that are comparable to the region and the need to ensure financial sustainability of the authority. ENDS