Air Namibia, the flagship carrier of the Republic of Namibia, is reassuring its valued clients and stakeholders that all Air Namibia flights continue to operate according to the airline’s published flight schedule. This is in response to recent articles speculating that Air Namibia may cease operation.
- Air Namibia continues all operations per its mandate, transporting passengers and cargo between domestic destinations, Southern Africa and Europe, via Frankfurt.
- Air Namibia is of strategic importance to the economy, a key player in Namibia’s tourism sector, the third largest contributor to Namibia’s GDP.
- This has been established in national development plans, with reference to the 5th Namibia Development Plan (NDP5), which highlights “Logistics as one of the Driving Forces”. In addition, this is firmly rooted in the airline’s mission statement, which states, “To provide air transport, to promote tourism, and to encourage business investment in Namibia”.
- The Government of the Republic of Namibia (GRN), which is the sole shareholder of Air Namibia, confirmed their continued support via the targeted subsidy allocations, announced last week by Hon. Calle Schlettwein, Minister of Finance in the National Assembly, as follows:
- N$740 Million for 2018/19
- N$676 Million for 2019/20
- N$698 Million for 2020/21
The continued financial assistance is testimony that the Government of the Republic of Namibia rallies behind its national airline, due to its significant economic role.
- Therefore, please note that any recent media reports, suggesting that Air Namibia may collapse, are false and untrue.
Founded as South West Air Transport in 1947, Air Namibia has operated under its present brand since 1992. It is a state-owned airline, and a member of both the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and the African Airlines Association (AFRAA). Headquartered at Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) in Windhoek, Air Namibia operates one of the youngest fleets on the continent.