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He said work was under way to upgrade the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport, which is almost complete.
“Government is also mobilising funding for the airside and landside development works at Victoria Falls International Airport which should commence by mid-2012.
“Furthermore, Government has supported the modernisation of air navigation systems, including the installation of state-of-the-art air traffic control and meteorological equipment at Harare International
Airport in 2003; installation of new ILS at Harare (2008) and JM Nkomo (2010) airports while another ILS is being installed at Victoria Falls Airport,” he said.
Minister Goche said Zimbabwe had received favourable International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) audit mission reports since 2001 and the latest being the aviation safety and security audits of 2010.
Against this background, he said the country was implementing the necessary corrective action plans to address the deficiencies identified by the ICAO audit missions which, however, found Zimbabwe to be substantively compliant to safety and security standards.
He said Zimbabwe was a key player in the formulation and implementation of regional initiatives concerned with the development of regional civil aviation such as the harmonisation of aviation regulations and procedures at the regional level and the pooling of resources to strengthen safety and security oversight at regional and national levels.
In strengthening international aviation relations, he said, Zimbabwe recently concluded bilateral air service agreements with about 40 countries in most continents in order to facilitate air services to and from the country.
Minister Goche said Zimbabwe was ready to co-operate and collaborate with other member states in further developing aviation systems and aviation personnel.
“In this regard, Zimbabwe is ready to put its expertise in aviation safety and security at the disposal of others working towards achieving and maintaining compliance status. We also welcome co-operation assistance from partners to enable us augment and upgrade our own aviation systems and personnel in our areas of deficiency,” he said.
The minister said it was important to continue working on initiatives and efforts to strengthen the aviation industry if the country was to fully play its role of stimulating and facilitating tourism, trade and general economic growth.
He said the country had over the years derived benefits from being a member of ICAO.
“Zimbabwe has gained tremendous benefits from its membership of (ICAO), including access to the organisation’s expertise advice, audit inspections, technical assistance, guidance material, skills development programmes for aviation personnel.”
He said in terms of institutional and policy reforms, the country established the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ), which is an autonomous body whose mandate was to ensure the orderly development of safe, secure and efficient air services, as well as advise the Government on all civil aviation matters.
Minister Goche said Government was now working on removing inherent conflict of interest to promote transparency at CAAZ by separating regulatory and commercial operations by 2012.
“In 2000, Government removed or reduced duty on aircraft, aircraft engines and spares, with a view to enabling the industry to achieve growth, competitiveness and viability.”
This year’s International Civil Aviation Day was commemorated under the theme: “Assistance and Co-operation for Globally Sustainable Air Transport.”
derick.khumalo