Air Nam open to change

Air Namibia is not opposed to a change to its operations should it be required, according to its spokesperson, Paul Nakawa.

This follows a recent remark by minister of public enterprises, Leon Jooste, that a change in the modus operandi of the national airline might be necessary to curb losses.

According to Nakawa, Air Namibia would follow the government's wishes.

“It all depends on the wish of the owner of the airline and what it is they want to achieve. At the moment we have a business plan adopted as per shareholder approval, in terms of which capacity in the form of aircraft lease commitments, maintenance and crew capabilities were sourced.

“These commitments include the Frankfurt route, and are continuing and will not go away unless contracted periods are fulfilled,” he said.

Nakawa also stressed that Air Namibia was following a business plan approved by its line ministry.

“We are operating in terms of the approved business plan. The approved business plan is linked to ensuring that tourism as well as exports and imports are promoted. These are very strategic sectors of the economy and it would be a huge risk if one places such a critical element that drives the economy in foreign hands,” he added.

Nakawa said that Air Namibia's existence helped propel the growth of the tourism industry.

“Airlines normally attract traffic to their home countries through destination marketing, which is what Air Namibia has been doing over the years, started off with two or three flights per week to now daily. Tourism from the domestic and regional markets is very small in relation to the spin-offs from the long-haul European market,” he said.

Jooste said at a recent public engagement that it would become necessary to change Air Namibia's business model. According to him, there were no indications that the national flag carrier would be making any profits soon and that it was necessary to curb the losses the airline was making.

He made the comments following news that German airline Lufthansa might resume flights between Windhoek and Frankfurt.

“The chances of Air Namibia making a profit are very limited. What we are [also] saying is that the cost of running Air Namibia must be a lot less.

“We are looking at all underperforming public entities. We are looking at all restructuring options. We should be less sensitive and less guarded about these things,” Jooste said at a University of Namibia lecture.

He added that introducing a new business model did not seem far-fetched but did not present much detail. “Redesigning the Air Namibia model is definitely a possibility,” said Jooste.

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