Keypoints:
- No Air Namibia revival planned
- NAD20m feasibility study approved
- Carrier tied to AfCFTA trade vision
NAMIBIA is pressing ahead with the creation of a new national airline, linking the project to economic growth and continental trade ambitions. Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi confirmed the initiative, saying the process is well under way, with a clearer launch timeline expected in the coming months.
‘We are not reviving Air Namibia’
In an interview with Namibia’s New Era newspaper, Nekundi stressed the government’s focus on building a sustainable airline from scratch.
‘We are not reviving Air Namibia. We are reviving a national airline,’ he said. ‘Once we are at the appropriate time, we shall then look at the appropriate name.’
Air Namibia, the country’s former flag carrier, was voluntarily liquidated in March 2021 after costing the state N$8bn ($453 million) in bailouts over three decades. Nekundi blamed its collapse on ‘serious mismanagement’ and ‘a lack of accountability’.
Despite its troubled history, he insisted Namibia could succeed this time if guided by sound management. ‘If we make decisions that are in the best interest of the company, the taxpayer and Namibia, the airline will flourish,’ he added.
Presidential backing for the plan
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has strongly backed the initiative, allocating N$20 million ($1.13 million) for a feasibility study. The study will be managed by Nekundi’s ministry and forms part of the ruling SWAPO party’s election manifesto implementation plan.
Nandi-Ndaitwah has described the new carrier as central to Namibia’s broader transport reforms. She argued that weak connectivity undermines trade and could restrict Namibia’s ability to benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Market dominated by foreign carriers
Namibia’s main international hub, Windhoek’s Hosea Kutako International Airport, is currently dominated by foreign airlines. According to ch-aviation data, South Africa’s Airlink controls the largest market share of weekly seats at 29 percent. Airlink is also a minority shareholder in FlyNamibia, a local private carrier serving Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Maun, Katima Mulilo and domestic routes from Windhoek Eros Airport.
Other airlines with strong presences at Windhoek include Germany’s Discover Airlines (24.67 percent), South African Airways (23.22 percent) and Ethiopian Airlines (16.27 percent). TAAG Angola Airlines, FlySafair, Air Botswana and Fly Angola operate smaller shares of the market.
A strategy for growth
By launching a new national airline, Namibia hopes to reclaim part of this market while boosting regional and international links. Officials argue that stronger aviation infrastructure will support economic diversification and make the country a more active player in AfCFTA trade flows.
