15 Aug 2017

Plans to relocate the Hukuntsi airfield  has been  halted due to the economic meltdown which persisted through 2008  and beyond 2010 says Minister of Transport and Communication Mr Kitso Mokaila.

Mr Mokaila said the design for the new airfield was done and completed in 2011 during NDP 10.

 “ The Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB) submitted proposals for funding during NDP 11, one of them being the relocation of Hukuntsi airfield for inclusion , nonetheless the project was not funded under NDP 11 due to competing needs,” he said.

He said while it can be risky to have an airfield in a built up area, the airspace around the airfield still needs the standards set by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). 

 He further said that the airfield does not have light hence does not assist the community effectively. 

He said there are currently about 18  airfields across the country that are of the same standard as Hukuntsi.  

All these airfields he said have no Airfield Ground Lighting System (AGLS) due to the costs associated with providing the system.  

He therefore pleaded with local authorities to assist where possible.

The Minister was responding to a parliamentary  question from Takatokwane MP, Mr Ngaka Ngaka who had requested  an update on the relocation  of the Hukuntsi airfield. ENDS