Allexer Namundjembo
Zambezi governor Dorothy Kabula has called on the Ministry of Works and Transport to prioritise the development of Mpacha Airport.
Kabula stated that the budget had allocated funds for the airport, but work had yet to commence.
She said its location makes it suitable to be upgraded to an international airport.
“This airport was budgeted, but up to now nothing has happened. This airport was supposed to cut the distance. Instead of one going to Windhoek to access the international airport, that can cut the distance,” she said during a debriefing on the government’s response to flooding in the Zambezi region.
Kabula said she was informed that land for the airport has already been allocated.
In response, works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi said the matter will be addressed.
“The matter will be addressed by the end of the year. The Mpacha airport will for now remain as a domestic airport as the government continues to prioritise developments at the Hosea Kutako International Airport,” he said.
He said a feasibility study will be done at a later stage.
Bukalo-based community activist Mwile Simasiku supported the call for development.
He said upgrading the airport would reduce long-distance travel for people in the eastern regions.
“If you have an international flight, you must now travel to Windhoek to access the Hosea Kutako Airport. But if we are to have an international airport here, it’ll lead to many airlines having direct routes to different countries like Zambia or even to Europe from here,” he said.
He said the expansion could also create jobs in the region.
Mpacha Airport, also known as Katima Mulilo Airport, is located about 18 kilometres southwest of Katima Mulilo, in the Zambezi region. It has a single asphalt runway that handles medium-sized aircraft.
The airport was first built as a military base and later upgraded by the Namibia Airports Company (NAC).
It has a control tower and a small terminal for domestic and regional passengers.
The airport connects the Zambezi region to Windhoek and supports travel to nearby countries such as Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It also serves tourists travelling to areas such as Chobe National Park and Victoria Falls.
