Namibia Reaffirms Plans to Relaunch National Airline

The Namibian government has reiterated its commitment to relaunching a national airline as part of broader efforts to modernize the country’s transport infrastructure and boost regional integration.

Opening the 24th Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah acknowledged that while Namibia has made major strides in road transport, other sectors remain underdeveloped.

“Significant achievements have been made in road transport infrastructure, as we are connected by tarred roads to all our neighbours. However, much more needs to be done in rail and air transport. We will intensify efforts to improve our rail network and to reintroduce a national airline,” she said.

The president also cautioned that inadequate transport links continue to constrain trade, warning that Namibia risks missing out on the full benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) unless connectivity is improved.

Her remarks align with the ruling SWAPO Party’s 2024 election manifesto, which pledged to revive a national airline through “well thought-out strategies to avoid the pitfalls of the past.” In February, cabinet approved the integration of the manifesto into government policies, giving fresh momentum to the project.

Namibia has been without a national carrier since 2021, when Air Namibia was liquidated after years of financial losses despite government bailouts estimated at N$11 billion over two decades. FlyNamibia, a privately owned airline, currently operates as the country’s only domestic and regional carrier.

The government has yet to reveal timelines or a concrete framework for the proposed airline, but officials maintain that restoring national air services is vital for trade, tourism, and Namibia’s global connectivity.