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The Namibian government is actively pursuing plans to relaunch a national airline, viewing it as a crucial component of a broader strategy to enhance the country’s transportation infrastructure. This commitment was reiterated by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah during the official opening of the 24th Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah acknowledged that while Namibia has made considerable progress in road transport—boasting tarred roads that connect the country to all of its neighboring states—there are still significant shortcomings in both the rail and air transport sectors. She emphasized the urgency of addressing these gaps, noting that improvements in these areas are essential for the country’s economic development and regional integration.
“Namibia’s road infrastructure stands out in the region, but we must now turn our attention to revitalizing our rail system and re-establishing a national airline,” the President stated. “These efforts are critical not only for domestic connectivity but also for our competitiveness within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Weak transport infrastructure will continue to hinder our trade potential if not addressed swiftly.”
The push to bring back a national airline aligns with the ruling SWAPO party’s 2024 election manifesto, which specifically calls for the revival of a national carrier through well-researched and sustainable strategies designed to avoid the financial missteps of the past. This vision has been endorsed at the highest level of government, with the Namibian Cabinet in February approving the integration of the party’s manifesto into national policy frameworks.
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Namibia has been without a national airline since the liquidation of Air Namibia in 2021. The carrier had long struggled with financial instability, ultimately receiving approximately N$11 billion in government bailouts over two decades before operations ceased. Since then, FlyNamibia has served as the country’s only operational airline, offering domestic and regional flights, but there is growing recognition that a national carrier could offer broader benefits in terms of international connectivity, tourism, and trade.
The reintroduction of a national airline is expected to be approached cautiously, with lessons learned from the past playing a key role in shaping a new, sustainable model for aviation in Namibia.
