The logistics industry is facing challenges as disruptions at Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) continue to impact air freight operators and service providers.
This follows the indefinite cargo embargo airlines placed on the airport on Monday.
Harald Schmidt, the secretary general of the Namibia Logistics Association (NLA), yesterday said the embargo has far-reaching implications for the country’s economy and reputation.
“The air freight operators and service providers are particularly affected, because any of the cargo they were hoping to either receive here at HKIA or had to export from this destination cannot take place and will not take place at the moment, because those services have been shifted to an alternative airport, most probably to OR Tambo in South Africa,” he said.
Schmidt said the situation casts a shadow on Namibia’s reputation as a reliable and efficient player in the global logistics arena.
One of the major concerns he raised is the inconsistency between the industry’s commitment to reliability and the current disruptions.
“We propagate the message that international clients can rely on our operators, on our locally registered operators, but unfortunately this is now a contradiction to what we are putting out there. We have built up tremendous credibility,” he said.
The disruptions, according to Schmidt, have led to a fractured logistics chain, necessitating the use of road transport to move cargo to OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
This shift, he said, not only adds time and cost, but also raises concerns about the transport of critical products, which may not have been properly considered in the rerouting process.
Schmidt also questioned whether Paragon Aviation Services, which took over the ground handling services at HKIA, has obtained the necessary certifications for safe and secure operations.
He stressed that adherence to international aviation and security standards is crucial to maintaining the industry’s credibility and ensuring the safety of operations.
“Airlines must become confrontational if they are prone to do business within an environment where they cannot prove exactly what the International Civil Aviation Authority expects of them.
“Their licence could be jeopardised the moment they undertake operations that are not audited properly and that have not been certified. We cannot compromise on that,” he said.
The presidential plane, which is privately operated, is not affected by the developments at the airport.
“The presidential plane is managed under specific diplomatic protocols and is not in any way affected by those developments,” says presidential spokesperson Alfredo Hengari.
Minister of health and social services Kalumbi Shangula says the embargo does not affect his ministry either.
“Our goods are delivered by the suppliers at the Central Medical Stores. It is their responsibility to ensure that goods are delivered at the end point,” he says.
Paragon Investment Holdings chief executive Lazarus Jacobs has declined to respond to the question of certification, which The Namibian has been asking since Sunday.
“Paragon doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone, except for the Civil Aviation authority and the NAC, which is the owner of the airport. The rest is just noise. Let’s get to work,” he said earlier this week.
He labelled the question from the media about qualifications, competencies and registration with the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority and International Air Transport Association as an orchestrated campaign to discredit Paragon.
“We know who the source is as they accidentally sent this to our reporters. Please don’t forget that Paragon also owns a media house.
“Don’t you find it interesting that you didn’t pose these questions to us as early as last year when we won the bid? It’s simple, because you were not fed with this information,” Jacobs said.
“Paragon is on the ground with highly qualified staff members and will focus on the operations to ensure that all passengers and airlines are serviced better than ever before. That’s our main focus right now,” he said.
