Namibia Air set for maiden flight in December

Namibia Air, government’s chosen name for the revived national airline, is set for its first take-off in December.

Works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi told Namibian Sun recently that Cabinet has approved the airline’s operational model and feasibility study, paving the way for implementation.

“The latest is that Cabinet has approved the model and the feasibility study,” Nekundi said. “We will start with a domestic route and then grow into regional routes.”

He added that the launch timeline is now in clear sight.

"The first flight is expected in December 2026,” he said.

The planned airline, announced in 2025, will begin with domestic operations before expanding into regional markets as capacity develops. The phased rollout is intended to build a stable operational base before entering more competitive routes.

Cabinet approval signals a shift from planning to execution, with a technical team already tasked with driving the process forward.

“The process has started to unfold accordingly, and once finalised, we will share more information,” Nekundi said, adding that the aviation sector requires careful handling.

“The airline industry is very competitive, and we are not going to divulge too much information.”

Nekundi also declined to provide specifics on whether the airline has yet met international compliance standards, including certification requirements from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which are crucial for commercial operations.

Learning lessons

The establishment of Namibia Air comes five years after the liquidation of Air Namibia, which was grounded in 2020 and formally placed under liquidation in 2021. The collapse left more than 600 employees without jobs and the country without a national carrier.

Government has maintained that the new airline will be structured differently, with a stronger focus on efficiency, accountability and long-term sustainability. The decision to prioritise domestic routes at first reflects a more measured approach.

Last year, Nekundi told Namibian Sun that Namibia Air would absorb former Air Namibia employees on a merit basis, with the most competent and qualified candidates being employed. “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.

Nekundi said the rollout is being handled by a dedicated technical team tasked with ensuring the airline meets all necessary requirements ahead of its launch.