AOPA Namibia honoured globally
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Namibia (AOPA Namibia) has received international recognition at the 31st World Assembly of the International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA), held in Bad Homburg, Germany.
AOPA Namibia received an award for its “exceptional support and dedication to the international general aviation community”.
The award recognises the association’s work representing aircraft owners and pilots, promoting proportionate aviation regulation, protecting access to airspace and aviation infrastructure, and supporting the development of general aviation in Namibia and the wider region.
AOPA Namibia president and IAOPA regional vice-president for Africa and the Middle East, Riaan Burger, accepted the award.
“This recognition belongs to the members and colleagues who consistently give their time and expertise to general aviation,” Burger said. “AOPA Namibia’s work is carried out largely by committed volunteers who understand the importance of aviation to a country with Namibia’s vast distances and dispersed communities.”
Burger also acknowledged the government and the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for maintaining what he described as an enabling aviation environment.
“Continued co-operation between government, the NCAA and the aviation community will be essential to protecting Namibia’s strengths and realising its considerable potential as an aviation and tourism destination,” he said.
During the assembly, Burger presented an overview of general aviation across Africa and the Middle East, highlighting differences between countries where the sector remains well established and those where regulation, costs, infrastructure constraints and administrative requirements have restricted aviation opportunities.
Namibia’s aviation opportunities
He said Namibia was well positioned to develop its general aviation and aviation tourism sectors.
“Namibia offers a combination that few aviation destinations can match,” Burger said. “We have extraordinary landscapes, favourable flying conditions, relatively uncongested airspace and an extensive network of airfields and private landing strips.”
He said light aircraft could provide visitors with access to wildlife destinations, remote lodges, the Namib Desert and the Atlantic coastline.
Burger said developing Namibia’s potential would require continued co-operation between regulators, airport operators, tourism authorities, accommodation establishments and the general aviation community.
Key requirements include predictable entry and flight-clearance procedures, reliable access to aviation fuel, suitable customs and immigration facilities, and continued access to airfields across the region.
“A strong regulatory framework is only as effective as the services that support it,” Burger said. “Efficient and predictable turnaround times on licences, certificates and approvals from the NCAA would allow general aviation to make a far greater contribution to Namibia’s economy.”
The IAOPA World Assembly is held every two years and brings together member associations from a global network representing more than 400,000 pilots across more than 80 countries.
The 2026 assembly addressed regulatory developments, airspace and airport access, aviation safety, technology and the future of general aviation.
