07 December 2023, Harare, Zimbabwe | Zimbabwe, through the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) joins other International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Member States in celebrating the International Civil Aviation Day (ICAD) running under the theme “Advancing Innovation for Global Development”.
Established in 1994 through an ICAO Assembly Resolution, the annual celebration, every 7th of December, seeks to establish and reinforce worldwide awareness of the importance of international civil aviation in the social and economic development of States, and of the role of ICAO in promoting the safety, efficiency, and regulation of international air transport.
To ensure an enabling environment for the development of air transport, improved airspace and air traffic management, the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe with support from the Government, has embarked on key aviation infrastructure projects which include the following:
- The Doppler Very High Frequency Omni Directional Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (DVOR/DME) – which was installed at three airports: R. G Mugabe, J. M Nkomo and Masvingo. The equipment was commissioned on 29 May 2023.
- Air Traffic Control Communications System – which is being installed and expected to be completed by 31 December 2023.
- Secondary Surveillance Radar System – which is being installed and scheduled for completion by end of 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). This Policy has also opened the airspace to more international airlines through several Air Service Agreements (ASA), allowing multiple airline designations to R.G Mugabe, Victoria Falls and J.M Nkomo International Airports.
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%.
The ICAD 2023 theme promotes the key importance of enabling innovation for aviation development towards the goal of more sustainable and resilient global flights and most specifically, the long-term global aspirational goal (LTAG) of net-zero air transport carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.
Zimbabwe’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint has been demonstrated through the submission of its State Action Plan (SAP) for carbon emission reduction in January 2022, and participation in the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) program with effect from January 2023.
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 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 address the following among other things:
- Increase access to localised quality and inclusive aviation training.
- Ameliorate the acute shortage of experts in the aviation industry locally and regionally.
- Improve the safety and security in the aviation sector through the establishment of training facilities with cutting edge technology.
To date, several aviation and related sector organizations have received training at the Aviation Training Academy.
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.
To further buttress this initiative, the Authority has an active whistle blower service, and it subscribes to the Deloitte’s “Tip-Offs Anonymous” platform. Stakeholders are therefore urged to report any cases of fraud, corruption, bribery, extortion, and any wrongdoings on this platform. All such reports are treated with confidentiality.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe reaffirms its commitment to ensure a safe, secure, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable international air transport system in line with the ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS).
Happy International Civil Aviation Day!
ABOUT CAAZ
The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe was established in 1999 by an Act of Parliament, the Civil Aviation Act [Chapter 13:16], and took over the functions of the former Department of Civil Aviation under the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development. Pursuant to International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) recommendations and best practices, the Authority was hived off Airport operations to a new entity through the Civil Aviation Amendment Act, 2018 [No. 10 of 2018].
In its new mandate, the Authority regulates the aviation industry and provides oversight of aviation safety and security, development of air transport and provision of air navigation services within Zimbabwe. The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe also advises the Government of Zimbabwe on all matters relating to domestic and international aviation.
On the 4th of October 2022, at the 41st International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Assembly in Montreal Canada, Zimbabwe was elected as the SADC representative, into the ICAO Council under Part III category, giving Zimbabwe an opportunity to sit as part of the Council’s 36 member states, the highest decision-making body in aviation.
CAAZ Mandate
To promote the safe, regular and efficient use and development of air transport and provide air navigation services within Zimbabwe; and
To advise the Government of Zimbabwe on all matters relating to domestic and international aviation.
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
Email: pr@caaz.co.zw
Facebook: Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe
Twitter: @caaz_online
Instagram: @caazonline
