Dear Esteemed Stakeholders and Business Partners,
Compliments of the season!
We look back at 2023, with great appreciation and gratitude for all the support, feedback and engagements we have had which have kept us on the climb towards our Vision “To be a regional centre of excellence in civil aviation regulatory and air navigation services by the year 2030”.
As the dawn of a new year beckons before us, we celebrate the following key milestones of 2023:
The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe with support from the Government, embarked on key aviation infrastructure projects which include the Doppler Very High Frequency Omni Directional Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (DVOR/DME) – which was installed at three airports namely: R. G Mugabe, J. M Nkomo and Masvingo. The equipment was commissioned on 29 May 2023. The Air Traffic Control Communications System and Secondary Surveillance Radar System are being installed and scheduled for completion in Q1 2024.
These infrastructure projects are key in the full implementation of the Open Skies Policy in line with the Yamoussoukro Decision (YD) which came into force in July 2000, paving the way for the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). In 2023 Zambian Airways, Eswatini Air, CEMAIR and FlySafair were granted Foreign Operator Permits (FOPs) and commenced services into Zimbabwe.
An ICAO Coordinated Validation Mission (ICVM) was conducted in June 2023 and Zimbabwe achieved an Effective Implementation (EI) score of 69.09%, up from 53.14% attained in the 2019 full scope audit. This is above the global average score of 67% and above the average for sub-Saharan Africa of about 58%.
In April 2023, CAAZ hosted a seminar with ICAO on Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). Following up on this seminar, ICAO selected Zimbabwe for a feasibility study under the ICAO-EU Assistance Project on the development and deployment of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) building on the work already done in the implementation of Biodiesel and Bioethanol programs in Zimbabwe. The State is also a participant in the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) program since January 2023.
The Aviation Training Academy of Zimbabwe (ATAZ) was officially launched on 29 May 2023 as a fully accredited Approved Training Organization (ATO) in accordance with S.I 80 of 2018 and ICAO Regulations. The Academy was established to increase access to localised quality and inclusive aviation training, ameliorate the acute shortage of experts in the aviation industry locally and regionally as well as improve the safety and security in the aviation sector through the establishment of training facilities with cutting edge technology.
In line with the CAAZ shared values of Integrity (Ubuntu/Hunhu) and Accountability, the Authority set up an Integrity Committee and on the 3rd of August 2023, Executive Management and Integrity Committee members signed Integrity Pledges as part of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS). The signing ceremony was presided over by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission.
Looking ahead to 2024 and in line with our Corporate Strategic Plan, focus shall be on establishing collaborations, synergies, dialogue and joint programs with stakeholders under the PPP framework and intensify the ease of doing business measures.
The Authority shall continue to ensure that all legislation and regulations are aligned with the ICAO Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPS) through relevant amendments, reviews and updates. The promotion of domestic aviation including General Aviation shall see a number of initiatives through strategic partnerships in 2024.
We look forward to a year of a growth and expansion trajectory, and your input, feedback and engagements remain invaluable to CAAZ.
Here’s to wish you all a Happy and Prosperous 2024!!!
Dr. Eng. E Chingosho
Director General
Safety, Security, Quality and Efficiency
Level 3, Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport Terminal Building,
P Bag CY 7716 Causeway, Harare, Zimbabwe | Tel: +263(242) 585073-80
Email: pr@caaz.co.zw Twitter: @caaz_online | Instagram: @caazonline
Facebook/LinkedIn: Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe
