The Sunday News
Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter
ZIMBABWE has been elected into the board of Airports Council International (ACI) Africa, riding on the gains of the Second Republic’s policy of engagement and re-engagement.
Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) chief executive officer Mr Tawanda Gusha will be representing the country for the period 2023 to 2025.
ACI is a body that represents the interests of airports in the world and is an equivalent of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) that supports aviation with global standards for airline safety, security, efficiency and sustainability.
The Africa region also works under a board of directors made up of CEOs of airport companies within the region and this is the platform Zimbabwe was elected into.
ACZ vice-board chair Mrs Sinikiwe Gwatidzo told various stakeholders at a welcome ceremony for South African Airways at the Victoria Falls International Airport on Wednesday that Zimbabwe was now at a vantage position to make policy decisions in the world of aviation.
“It is also important that we are aware that in October 2022 Zimbabwe was elected a member of the Airports Council International (ACI) Africa board for the period 2023 to 2025 and will be represented by the CEO of the Airports Company of Zimbabwe Mr Tawanda Gusha.
“What this translates to is that as a country Zimbabwe is now at a vantage position to contribute more to formulation and reviewing of African aviation policies, ease access to critical airport funding and capacity building,” said Mrs Gwatidzo.
She said the growth and support for the ACZ and the Zimbabwean aviation industry is now imperative as air connectivity remains a crucial aspect in the expansion of tourism.
Commenting on his appointment, Mr Gusha said there are numerous gains to be made from the membership.
“So for the period 2023 to 2025 I have been appointed on that board working with other members from the continent to advance the interests of airports not only in Africa but globally.
“This involves improving service delivery, relationships between ourselves and airlines, regulators under the umbrella of international board. There are opportunities particularly for development, capacity development for employees, security and safety, carbon emissions within the aviation industry and greening airports,” said Mr Gusha.
Zimbabwe already has the airport council international airport health accreditation obtained during Covid-19 pandemic era which prepares the country to meet public health emergencies.
Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport
Mr Gusha said being part of the board puts Zimbabwe at a vantage point to benefit from training and assistance programmes, airport management professional accreditation which is also offered to members as there would be opportunities for training, research programmes, exchange technologies as well as access to funding to improve airports and conducting business.
While this may not be the first time Zimbabwe sits on the board following the election of the late ambassador Jerry Ndlovu who was then with Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe in 2015, this will be the first full term as Amb Ndlovu had a short stint.
Mr Gusha said the country’s interests will also be the winner.
“We are also there to represent the interests of the country itself when it comes to issues that affect us as we will be able to influence policy as far as international aviation is concerned,” he said.
ACI is headquartered in Canada while ACI Africa is headquartered in Morocco.
Different regions have their own regional offices and the current president of ACI Africa who is ordinarily the chair of the board is from Mozambique giving Southern Africa an edge.
@ncubeleon
