Westair reassures Air Namibia

Air Namibia will be able to continue using the four planes it leased from a French airline, which have been sold to Westair. In a statement issued by Westair yesterday the company gave its reassurance that the planes would remain available to Air Namibia. “The only change is that the aircraft will no longer be foreign owned, but will be owned by Namibians. Additionally, this new venture enables the renewal and upgrade of the current domestic and regional fleet, and will address the issues of dispatch reliability that could have negatively impacted the traveling public in the long run,” the statement said. According to Westair it intends to honour all the terms of the current lease of the aircraft. Air Namibia learned on Wednesday that the four planes, leased since 2011 from Air France, are now owned by the Namibian aviation company Westair. The transaction between Westair and Air France transpired without the knowledge of Air Namibia's board or management. Air Namibia has a valid and legally binding lease agreement with Air France/ HOP for the utilisation of the four Embraer Jet aircraft. These aircraft are currently used on domestic routes and some regional routes. The lease agreement with HOP terminates during the first quarter of next year.Meanwhile, concerns have been raised about the fact that Air Namibia might be overcharged when leasing planes from Westair. Reportedly Air Namibia currently pays about US$70 000 per month for leasing a 37-seater. “At this stage Westair is not in a position to disclose any contractual obligations other than confirming that the lease terms will not change from the current terms as stipulated in the contract between HOP (Air France) and Air Namibia. “Westair will not under any circumstance overcharge Air Namibia and prices will remain as per industry standards, with the added benefit that the lease fees will now stay within the country as Air Namibia will pay a local lessor,” said Westair According to the company the recent influx of five regional airlines and six international airlines, with very little reciprocity, has highlighted the need for the airline to promote aviation business within the country by supporting local businesses such as Air Namibia. “As a 100% Namibian-owned company, we believe in promoting and supporting business within our borders. During the past 50 years of the existence of Westair Aviation we have continually expanded the company's core business areas of aircraft acquisition, aircraft refurbishment, aircraft leases and direct aircraft operations. This new venture is in alignment with the Westair core values of doing business in Namibia, whilst unlocking the economies of scale,” the company further said in its statement. The Westair Group is comprised of a team of Namibian aviation experts who are dedicated to promoting business in the sub-region. ELLANIE SMIT

Westair reassures Air Namibia

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-19

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Westair reassures Air Namibia

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-19

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