New national airline to hire ‘best’ ex-Air Namibia workers

The Namibian government has confirmed that the new national airline, Namibia Air, will prioritise hiring qualified former Air Namibia staff to ease the social and economic hardship many have faced since the defunct carrier’s collapse.Works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi said the airline, to be established as a state enterprise, will prioritise professional competency and fairness in recruitment while ensuring it is operationally robust and internationally competitive.Speaking exclusively to Namibian Sun yesterday, Nekundi said the operationalisation of Namibia Air will follow a structured, merit-based approach, with hiring guided by applicants' skills and global aviation standards. "We will consider former Air Namibia employees, but hiring will be based on merit, ensuring the best person is selected for each role,” he said.“There will still be competition among them, and positions will be allocated to those who best meet the requirements of each role,” Nekundi added.The minister stressed that the new airline will not simply absorb former staff without first vetting them thoroughly. “We cannot just take someone for the sake of taking them. Candidates must fit the role in terms of skills, ethics, attitude and qualifications. Competency remains our priority,” he said.Air Namibia was grounded in March 2020, and the Windhoek High Court placed the airline under provisional liquidation in February 2021. The Namibia Airports Company, owed over N$708 million, secured the liquidation order. More than 600 employees lost their jobs and have been awaiting severance payments for over four years.International standards The minister stressed that government’s approach seeks to balance social responsibility with the need to establish a professionally managed airline capable of competing internationally. “Our approach will ensure that skilled and competent personnel, including those affected by the previous airline’s liquidation, have the opportunity to contribute to the new national carrier,” he added.He said recruitment will be geared towards selecting the best talent without compromising standards.“We must hire the right structure and the right skills. Positions will only be filled by individuals who are competent, possess the right attitude and ethics, and meet the qualifications for the role,” he said.Accountability, the minister added, will be uncompromising. “Everyone entrusted with the management of Namibia Air – from the board to operational staff – will be held fully accountable. Every decision, from hiring to operations, will be guided by professional standards.”Plans, public inputNekundi said no definitive date has yet been set for the launch.“We expect to have clear indications of when the airline will commence operations by the end of this month or December,” he said.He pointed out that operational readiness depends not only on national preparations but also on compliance with international aviation standards and approvals from statutory organisations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).Government is exploring options for acquiring aircraft, including dry lease, where only the aircraft is rented and the airline provides its own crew and maintenance; wet lease, where the aircraft comes with crew, maintenance and insurance provided by the lessor; or outright purchase of the aircraft. “The technical team is finalising the best option based on costs, efficiency and sustainability. Any decision will be in the nation’s best interest,” Nekundi vowed.He added that procurement will respect market rates to avoid inflated or unrealistic pricing that could compromise operations.Pricey lessonsNekundi confirmed that a public logo design competition will be launched to develop the airline’s branding, to give Namibian artists a chance to be part of the new venture.“The best logo will become the official identity of Namibia Air, and it is important that Namibians feel ownership of the brand,” he said.He further stressed that lessons from Air Namibia’s collapse will guide decision-making. “It is vital that we make the right decisions, hire the right skills and ensure the organisation is built to last. Namibia Air will not merely exist – it will be operationally sound, well-managed and competitive on the international stage,” Nekundi said.The minister added that in addition to skilled staff, "a competent and accountable board will oversee performance".

New national airline to hire ‘best’ ex-Air Namibia workers

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-11-20

Please login to leave a comment

New national airline to hire ‘best’ ex-Air Namibia workers

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-11-20

Please login to leave a comment

Subscription Required to Access Content ×

Login

Subscription Required to Access Content