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Freeman Razemba

Senior Reporter

The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) has joined the rest of the world in celebrating International Civil Aviation Day.

The day serves as a reminder of the importance of international cooperation in the field of civil aviation.

In a speech read on her behalf by CAAZ board member Mr Ngoni Katsvairo, CAAZ board chairperson Mrs Nonkosi Ncube said the day was a tribute to the spirit of connectivity, capacitation, innovation, and progress that the aviation industry embodies.

“Since its inception in 1994, International Civil Aviation Day has served as a crucial reminder of the importance of international cooperation in the field of civil aviation,” she said.

“It is a day to look back and reflect on the achievements we have made, the challenges we have overcome, the lessons we have learnt and the future we aspire to create together.

“From the early days of flight to the modern advancements we witness today, aviation has transformed the way we travel, trade, and communicate.

“It has made the world smaller and more accessible, allowing us to forge connections that transcend borders. The powerful force of aviation connects people, cultures, and economies across the globe. Every day, millions of passengers and cargo are transported across vast distances, bridging gaps and fostering relationships that transcend borders.”

She said according to the latest Air Passenger Market Analysis for October, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Passenger Load Factor (PLF) increased by 0,8 percent compared to the previous year, as the industry total load factor reached 83,9 percent, which is almost 2 percent higher than in October 2019.

“Coming closer home to the Zimbabwean airspace, for the period January to October 2024, the industry recorded 52 215 aircraft movements, up from 49 312 aircraft during the same period last year, representing a steady 6 percent increase in aircraft movements.

“In 2024, airlines moved a total of 1,8 million domestic and international passengers in 2024, compared to 1,5 million passengers during the same period last year. There is still a lot of work to be done by all stakeholders to promote the growth of domestic air travel market. The industry also recorded an 11 percent growth in over fliers from 24 080 in 2023 to 26 819 in 2024,” she said.

Mrs Ncube said she strongly believes that efforts to expand, refurbish, capacitate, and modernise aviation infrastructure across the value chain have contributed immensely to this growth trajectory in the local industry.

“The aviation regulator has also played its part and continues to do so in ensuring enhanced safe, secure, quality and efficient airspace management through the various infrastructure investments that have been made in the recent past.

“Looking ahead, sustainability, safety, and innovation remain at the forefront of our agenda as the authority.

“We are dedicated to reducing our environmental impact and ensuring that aviation remains a safe, secure and most importantly environmentally viable mode of transport for all. As we look ahead, let us embrace the spirit of partnership and collaboration that has always defined our industry.”