SOARING HIGH

SWACAA

Led by a nine member Board of Directors SWACAA has a good balance of skilled people in the industry with leaders from a broad sphere of the economy and society. On the Board sits the Director General, Solomon Dube, the only member of the Board with executive powers. He is the Managing Director of the Authority and presides over Executive Committee meetings.

“As civil aviation is a very technical and heavily regulated global industry,” Solomon explains, “It becomes necessary to establish an autonomous body that can focus on the growth and professional management of the industry and have the Minister of Transport as its political head.”

Previously run by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport through the now disbanded department of civil aviation, Matsapha International Airport and all other infrastructure and air transport facilities have been handed over to the Authority. Sikhuphe International Airport, at an advanced stage of construction, will soon join them under this umbrella. Both airports will be operated by the Authority which will also ensure that International Civil Aviation Organisation standards are upheld.

www.inyatsi.net

Originally set up as a statutory body, since 2009 The Swaziland Civil Aviation Authority (SWACAA) has acted on behalf of the Government of the Kingdom of Swaziland. Their task is to administer the commercial body of the company in an economically viable manner, coordinate the air transport services and regulation of civil aviation activities in Swaziland and to align the organization with international standards.

Endeavour Magazine • December 2012 •

SWACAA

Through an eight point strategic plan, the Authority’s focus has been on addressing the eight critical elements raised by an ICAO audit conducted in 2007 which resulted in a ban of Swaziland registered aircraft by the European Union.

“SWACAA’s immediate objective is to ensure that Swaziland complies with all laid down industry standards,” Solomon explains, “The Authority is also busy with attracting air transport business into Swaziland for tourism, trade and investment.”

Explaining how, Solomon simply says, “Through our efficient , regulated , safe and reliable business offerings to the aviation industry.”

As with any authority put in place to ensure that standards are not only met but exceeded and SWACAA has to ensure that it keeps in tow with regulations set by the Civil Aviation Authority Act 10, 2009 and SADC. This is in addition with the development of their staff to ensure that each of them capable of meeting the regulator and operator skills requirements.

“We ensure continuous safety and security supervision as well as the swift resolution of any safety and security concerns,” Solomon assures.

Representing the industry in Swaziland and being responsible for over 500 employees and thousands of passengers and customers there are some important elements that make SWACAA what it is. Such things as commitment and integrity, honesty and transparency, responsibility and

accountability become crucial to the continued smooth running of the organization.

The Airports:Matsapha International Airport (Mts)

Matsapha International Airport (MTS) was opened to commercial traffic in 1961. Because the airport is located in the hub of Swaziland, with Manzini City Centre is only 10 minutes’ drive away it is the ideal gateway into Swaziland for both business travellers and tourists.. The Ezulwini Valley, which plays host to the top hotels, resorts and casinos in the country is located approximately twenty five kilometres northwest of the airport. Mbabane, the capital city, no further than ten kilometres from Ezulwini Valley.

“Currently, Matsapha International Airport has one commercial air traffic operator,” Solomon elaborates, “The Swaziland Airlink which operates an Embraer 135 to run five daily flights to O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa. This operation accounts for a majority of the 70,000 passengers that pass through Matsapha International Airport each year. In addition to the Swaziland Airlink, there are a number of general aviation activities at Matsapha International Airport that include the Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force’s Air Wing.”

There is also a budding market for aviation training schools that operate out of Matsapha International Airport which has a Code 4C runway. It is 2,600m long and 45 metres wide constructed of asphalt to handle Boeing 737s.

SWACAA

“The passenger terminal at Matsapha covers approximately 7,000 squared meters and is designed to handle and process about 300 passengers in any given hour,” he describes, “The parking area in front of the building is designed to cater for 200 cars. The ground floor handles passenger concourse and baggage handling, the mezzanine floor is for the offices and the second floor is dedicated to arrival and departure lounges.”

The critical ICAO (International Civil Aviation Offices) buildings include the Air Traffic Control Tower (ATC), which is particular crucial at any airport, Fire Station, Air Traffic Systems & Navigational Aids and Fuel Farm vigilantly conduct their businesses twenty four seven.

“The fire station incorporates a secondary control room as a backup to the ATC tower, with five fire trucks and an ambulance this makes up our emergency vehicles’ response teams.”

The runway at Matsapha is 3.6 km long and 60m wide, it’s design is based on Code E aircraft to facilitate for Boeing 747, Boeing 777 and Airbus 340s. benefitting from a solid concrete apron that covers an area of 332m by 260m. ( 86, 320m2) The design is based on handling/parking 2 Code E aircrafts (Boeing 747, Boeing 777 and Airbus 340) and 3 Code C aircrafts (J41).

Nhlangano AirstripThe Nhlangano airstrip is in Nhlangano town in the

southern part of the country and is predominantly used by

the forestry farming.In 2010, Swaziland hosted Routes Africa 2010 on the

30th of May and the 1st of June. This event was attended by high profile Airport Executives and Aviation delegates from Africa, the Middle East and Europe and was aimed at showcasing Swaziland as an attractive business & tourist destination..

Since then there have been several meetings with airline operators who have shown interest in flying to Swaziland and combining it with other neighbouring destinations. The Swaziland Civil Aviation Authority, together with other key industry players are aggressively marketing Swaziland as a destination accessible by air in an environment that meets all the ICAO safety and security standards.

About Solomon DubeThe Director General is the Chief Executive Officer of

the Swaziland Civil Aviation Authority who is responsible for the leadership of the Authority both as regulator of the industry and operator of the country’s two airports. The Director General communicates the vision, the values and is responsible for developing the strategy and ensures its implementation. He establishes networks locally and internationally that are necessary for the business of the Authority. As chairman of the management executive committee his role is to create an enabling professional environment and monitor departmental performance. He manages the Authority’s succession plan.

SWACAAwww.swacaa.co.sz+268 2518 4390

Written by Jack Slater

www.littlegatepublishing.com