Air Namibia in bailout talks

Air Namibia (SW, Windhoek Int’l) is negotiating a state bailout, but has declined to confirm details of a rescue plan reportedly requiring NAD193 million Namibian dollars (USD11.6 million) to restart the airline following the country’s COVID-19 lockdown. “At present, we are still negotiating with the shareholder about new figures, which are not yet finalised,” spokesman Twaku Kayofa told ch-aviation in response to a leaked document quoted by Namibia’s New Era newspaper. “The article is not the final position of the airline, therefore we can’t comment on its contents,” he said. “Our operations have been negatively affected by COVID-19 due to the decrease in travel demand. Furthermore, the continued suspension of our regional and international flights have a detrimental effect on the airline’s already difficult cash flow position. We continue to redefine our strategy for the restart of all operations when borders are reopened eventually, notwithstanding the impact of COVID-19 on global traffic demand,” Kayofe said. He confirmed Air Namibia’s domestic operations restarted on September 20, 2020, serviced by a 37-seater E135 following the lifting of lockdowns on September 18 on Namibia’s Khomas and Erongo regions. He said Windhoek Eros to Walvis Bay flights were scheduled to restart on October 7. Air Namibia’s regional and international operations were suspended until September 20 and 30 respectively, but an announcement on the restart of operations would be made soon. Windhoek Int’l re-opened on September 1, 2020, resulting in Ethiopian Airlines (ET, Addis Ababa) and Eurowings (EW, Düsseldorf Int’l) resuming services, with Qatar Airways (QR, Doha Hamad Int’l) returning on October 15. Meanwhile, New Era reported the airline had submitted a revised draft business plan to the Namibian government for restarting operations with six aircraft (two A319-100s and four E135s) to serve only most viable routes initially, gradually growing to full schedule. It planned to reduce its Frankfurt Int’l services to 4x per week, but increasing to 7x weekly in the 2021/22 financial year. According to New Era, the airline planned to extend its operating lease with Deucalion Aviation Funds for A319-100 V5-ANK (msn 3586) to improve cash flow. It was negotiating reduced fuel charges with suppliers at Eros; engaging with the Namibian Airports Company for a 50% reduction on airport charges for the next six months, and renegotiating a payment plan on outstanding invoices. It was also looking for a 50% reduction on aeronautical and safety charges for the next six months. Other measures being considered included reduced onboard catering, reducing staff medical benefits, replacing airline offices with general sales agents, introducing booking fees to recuperate GDS cost and re-negotiating contracts where possible.