NAC engages airlines after cargo ban

The Namibia Airports Company (NAC) says consultations are ongoing with Airlink, Eurowings Discover and Qatar Airways after the airlines imposed a cargo embargo on Hosea Kutako International Airport. 

Airlink on Wednesday suspended its cargo operations at Windhoek’s Hosea Kutako International Airport following a change in the airport’s ground-handling and cargo service provider.

South African Airways which had also suspended its cargo services, according to the airports operator, has, however, lifted its temporary suspension of the service to the airport on Wednesday.

“Paragon has to date handled cargo for Ethiopian Airlines, South African Airways, Airlink and TAAG Angola, since Saturday 19 August 2023. NAC appreciates the cooperation of all stakeholders in airport management operations and encourages continued engagements and consultations during this transition period,” the NAC said on Thursday.

The NAC, however, said direct exports to the European Union through Hosea Kutako International Airport are still suspended until Paragon secures the required certification.

“Imports and exports through HKIA are active and direct exports to the EU can only happen once the ACC3 RA3 certification is attained. However, these exports can still be processed through alternative routes such as Johannesburg, Addis Ababa, Luanda, or Doha, for the EU zone,” the company said.

The NAC said the cargo-handling accreditation is provided only after actual operations are observed.

“NAC, as the principal operator of the airport, announces that while the new ground services provider Paragon awaits their accreditation for European-specific export cargo (ACC3 / RA3), airlines have resumed cargo movements. Accreditation for RA3-approved cargo is provided only after actual operations are observed by the person(s) conducting the audit and could therefore not be obtained prior to the change in the ground-handling service provider,” the company said.

“The airport has been going through a transition period since Saturday, 19 August 2023 and – in the highly regulated industry of aviation – consultations, engagement, and cooperation between various stakeholders about cargo handling had to be undertaken.”

This comes as Menzies Aviation Group was evicted from Hosea Kutako International Airport by NAC, ceasing to provide ground-handling services.

The new service provider, Paragon Investment Holdings, in partnership with Ethiopian Airlines, has taken over the responsibilities.

 

 

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