Direct Swiss link expected to deliver 15 000 visitors to Namibia

Swiss leisure airline Edelweiss expects its new direct Zurich-Windhoek service to carry about 15 000 passengers a year and generate an estimated N$30 million in annual tourism spending in Namibia.

The projections were outlined by Edelweiss chief executive Bernd Bauer after the arrival of the airline's inaugural non-stop flight from Zurich to Windhoek, marking the launch of the first direct air link between Switzerland and Namibia.

The flight landed at Hosea Kutako International Airport at about 19:30 on Monday, carrying 285 passengers from Switzerland. The new service is expected to strengthen tourism, trade and investment links between the two countries.

"Swiss tend to stay longer and spend more than other tourists from Europe," Bauer said.

According to Edelweiss, spending on accommodation, tours, transport and other tourism-related activities could contribute about N$30 million annually to Namibia's economy.

The airline will initially operate the route twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays. Strong demand has already prompted Edelweiss to add a third weekly flight on Wednesdays from 15 July 2026. "We saw bookings picking up quickly and therefore introduced the third flight on short notice. We are confident that we can fill those flights and make it a successful operation until the end of October," Bauer said.

The route will initially operate on a seasonal basis. Bauer said next year's programme would begin earlier, with flights starting at the end of March and continuing until the end of October.

‘Important step’

Namibia Airports Company (NAC) chief executive and Air Connect Namibia spokesperson Bisey /Uirab welcomed the new service, describing it as an important step in strengthening Namibia's international connectivity.

"This new route is more than a flight; it is a bridge between Europe and Namibia. We are thrilled to welcome Edelweiss and to further strengthen Namibia's position as a globally connected tourism and investment destination," he said.

The NAC said Switzerland is already an important tourism market for Namibia, with about 22 000 two-way passengers travelling between the two countries in 2024.

The route is operated using an Airbus A350-900, which Edelweiss says offers lower fuel consumption and emissions than older long-haul aircraft.

Bauer acknowledged that a direct link between Switzerland and Namibia might appear unusual given the relatively small populations of both countries, but said the airline sees strong potential in the market. "It is pretty obvious to have flights from Germany to Windhoek, but it's not that obvious to have a flight directly from a small country like Switzerland into Namibia, even though Namibia is also small. So we fit," he said.

Beyond attracting Swiss visitors, Edelweiss is also targeting Namibian travellers by offering connections through Zurich to destinations across Europe via the Lufthansa Group and Swiss International Air Lines.

Demand was also evident on the return leg of the inaugural service, with 261 passengers departing Windhoek for Zurich on Monday night.

Edelweiss is in the process of replacing its Airbus A340 fleet with six Airbus A350 aircraft, featuring upgraded Economy, Premium Economy and Business Class cabins.