On 11 February 2025, Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ), were elated by the successful accreditation and recognition of the Aviation Training Academy of Zimbabwe (ATAZ) by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) as a TRAINAIR PLUS Bronze Member.
This recognition was awarded during the Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS), held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 10 to 12 February 2025. The Permanent Secretary, Eng. P.J. Makumbe, represented Zimbabwe in receiving the accreditation plaque from the Secretary General of ICAO, Mr Juan Carlos Salazar, on 11 February 2025 at the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Abu Dhabi.
TRAINAIRPLUS certification is a prestigious recognition awarded to institutions that meet ICAO’s standards for aviation training. To obtain this certification, ATAZ underwent a rigorous assessment process.
The Ministry and CAAZ launched ATAZ as an ICAO Approved Training Organisation (ATO) on 29 May 2023. Since then, ATAZ has grown, achieving international recognition. Zimbabwe, through ATAZ, is committed to implementing the 2019 ICAO Assembly Resolution A40-25 Appendix D on Qualified and Competent Aviation Personnel, which aims to ensure and maintain the competency of aviation professionals through the ICAO Aviation Training Programme. The accreditation of ATAZ is a clear demonstration of the Academy’s commitment to developing the next generation of aviation professionals in Zimbabwe, the region, and beyond.
As a result of this accreditation, ATAZ will:
- Increase access to localised, high-quality, and inclusive aviation training
- Address the acute shortage of aviation experts both locally and regionally
- Increase the availability of specialised skills for industry, commerce, and the public sector
- Improve aviation safety and security by establishing surrogate training facilities equipped with cutting-edge technology, benchmarked against leading aviation training academies globally
- Foster and promote research and innovation through Memoranda of Understanding with local institutions of higher learning
The Ministry expresses its gratitude to the CAAZ Board and Management, ATAZ, aviation operators, and the entire aviation community for this remarkable achievement. This milestone demonstrates Zimbabwe’s commitment to aligning its aviation industry with international standards and best practices in aviation safety and security.
