Chamwe Kaira
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Namibia (AOPA Namibia) has warned that Namibia’s aviation sector is exposed to fuel supply and pricing risks due to single-supplier concessions at airports.
AOPA Namibia chief executive officer Matt Totten Jr said airports operated by the Namibia Airports Company rely on one fuel provider at each facility. He said this leaves airlines, charter operators and general aviation users exposed to supply disruptions and price pressure.
“The era of single-supplier airport concessions must end,” Totten said.
He said recent regional fuel concerns have highlighted a long-standing weakness in the airport operating model.
AOPA Namibia is calling on the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority and the Namibia Airports Company to open airport concessions to multiple service providers.
The association said this should include aviation fuel, ground handling, cargo handling and catering services. It said these areas affect operating costs, ticket prices and the country’s position as an aviation destination.
Totten said access to multiple providers and competitive tendering are common at airports globally and Namibia should adopt this approach.
The association also called for aviation fuel supply to be treated as a national policy issue. It said global instability and oil market volatility increase the risk of relying on a single supply chain.
AOPA Namibia warned of possible “greedflation”, saying supply disruptions can allow monopoly providers to increase prices beyond actual costs.
Where only one supplier operates, aircraft operators have no alternative or bargaining power, Totten said.
The association is calling for fuel price transparency and reporting by airport fuel providers, as well as stronger oversight to monitor pricing.
AOPA Namibia said the impact could extend beyond aviation and affect tourism. It said tourism depends on airline and charter connectivity, while many local operators have limited capacity to absorb fuel increases or find alternatives.
Totten said failure to address the current system could affect lodges, tourism operators and communities that depend on air access.
“The current regional fuel supply concerns should serve as a wake-up call,” he said.
AOPA Namibia said action is needed before a fuel shortage or price shock forces intervention.
