Namibia Plans New National Airline Launch by Late 2026

Namibia’s newly elected president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, aims to launch a new national airline between June and December 2026 through a public-private partnership (PPP), according to local media reports. Presidential spokesman Alfredo Hengari said a market study will be completed by June 2025, with expressions of interest for the PPP finalized by August 2026.

Negotiations are expected to conclude by December 2025, paving the way for the official launch of the new flag carrier. The government has allocated NAD20 million (USD1.1 million) for a feasibility study, managed by the Ministry of Works and Transport under Minister Veikko Nekundi.

Sources close to the ruling SWAPO party say the president sees the new airline as a matter of national pride. SWAPO’s election manifesto outlines a NAD3 billion (USD163 million) investment plan over five years to support the initiative.

Minister Nekundi, however, emphasized the economic rationale for the airline’s return. He reassured the public that the project would not burden the government with excessive costs and that all steps would be taken prudently.

Nekundi clarified that the government has no plans to revive Air Namibia, which ceased operations in February 2021 after receiving NAD8 billion (USD435 million) in state bailouts. “Air Namibia is gone, but a national airline will be in Namibia,” he said in a statement broadcast on One Africa Television.

Analysts expect the upcoming national budget to shed more light on funding mechanisms and how the new airline will avoid the financial pitfalls that led to Air Namibia’s collapse.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com