CAAZ restructuring looms

Business Reporter
THE government is working on restructuring the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) into two entities in a move aimed at enhancing improved security and operational efficiency of the aviation industry, a Cabinet minister has said.

CAAZ was established in 1999 as a statutory body to replace the former Department of Civil Aviation.

Its mandate is to develop civil aviation and promote its safe, regular and efficient use inside and outside Zimbabwe.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Obert Mpofu told a gathering during the official launch of the Fly Africa airline’s Bulawayo-Johannesburg route at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo (JMN) International Airport last Thursday that the initiative would be implemented this year.

“Safety and security are key to aviation and in that respect the government is in the process of restructuring the Civil Aviation Authority into a regulatory and airport company in line with international best practices,” minister Mpofu said. “Our target is to complete this separation in 2015 so that starting next year the entities will be operating independent of each other.”

The minister said the government continues to support the growth of the aviation industry given its strategic importance to national development.

He said the sector was key to facilitating trade, tourism and regional integration.

Mpofu said the government was directly funding the aviation infrastructure and welcomed an additional operation since the opening up of the new expanded JMN airport last year. “This is just the beginning of brighter things for the airport,” said Mpofu.

The minister said the introduction of the aviation infrastructure development levy on air travellers has started paying dividends.

He said the on-going Victoria Falls International Airport expansion of the runway and the terminal building was partly funded from proceeds from the fund.