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May 2026
Informanté
Air Connect Namibiahas welcomedEdelweiss Air's decision to increase Zürich–Windhoek service to three weekly flights from July 2026
Source
“AIR Connect Namibia has welcomed the decision by Edelweiss Air to increase its direct Zürich–Windhoek service to three weekly flights from July 2026, marking a significant boost to Namibia's growing international air connectivity.”
Air Connect Namibianotedthat the country's international connectivity has grown significantly with destinations increasing from 10 in 2023 to 17 by mid-2026
Source
“Air Connect Namibia noted that the country's international connectivity has grown significantly in recent years, with destinations served by Namibian airports expected to increase from 10 in 2023 to 17 by mid-2026.”
Air Connect Namibiacelebrateda year of unprecedented achievement
Source
“This was highlighted at a recent event where Air Connect Namibia celebrated a year of unprecedented achievement, leading southern Africa in the number of new connections to international destinations.”
Swiss airline Edelweiss has begun direct flights between Zurich and Hosea Kutako International Airport, initially operating twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays, with a third weekly flight to begin 15 July 2026. The inaugural flight on 1 June carried 285 passengers inbound and 261 outbound, marking the first non-stop commercial air link between Switzerland and Namibia.
Why it matters
Edelweiss inaugural Zurich-Windhoek direct flights open new European tourism and business connectivity for Namibia.
Swiss airline Edelweiss has begun direct flights between Zurich and Hosea Kutako International Airport, initially operating twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays, with a third weekly flight to begin 15 July 2026. The inaugural flight on 1 June carried 285 passengers inbound and 261 outbound, marking the first non-stop commercial air link between Switzerland and Namibia.
Edelweiss airline launched a non-stop commercial service between Zurich and Windhoek, carrying 285 passengers on the inaugural flight to Namibia and 261 departing for Switzerland. The Namibia Airports Company says the service will initially operate twice weekly, with plans to expand to three weekly flights from mid-July, marking a milestone for the country's aviation and tourism sectors.
Edelweiss Air will expand its direct Zürich–Windhoek service to three weekly flights from July 2026, up from two weekly flights starting June 2026, using an Airbus A350-900. The expansion is expected to boost inbound tourism to destinations including Etosha National Park, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund and the Skeleton Coast.
Edelweiss Air will increase its non-stop service from Zürich to Windhoek from two to three weekly flights from 15 July. This expansion is part of Namibia's broader growth in international connectivity, with the country's airports expected to serve 17 international destinations by mid-2026, nearly doubling from 10 destinations in 2023.
Zambian carrier Proflight Zambia inaugurated its first flights to Windhoek this week, operating three times weekly between Lusaka, Livingstone, and Namibia's capital. Government officials and aviation stakeholders highlighted the route's potential to boost tourism, trade, and regional connectivity between the two countries.
Proflight Zambia launched a new three-times-weekly air service connecting Lusaka and Windhoek via Livingstone, operating on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Namibian officials said the route would boost trade, tourism and regional connectivity between the two nations.
Namibia recorded 11% passenger growth from January to October 2025, with the Air Connect Namibia initiative expanding the country's international destinations from 10 in 2023 to 17 by mid-2026, adding over 120,000 new international seats and positioning Namibia as southern Africa's leading aviation growth story.
Namibia recorded 1.26 million international tourist arrivals in 2024, a 45.5% increase from 2023, with the high-end sector experiencing robust recovery driven by demand for eco-conscious, low-density experiences in destinations like Etosha, Sossusvlei, and emerging remote areas. The sector is projected to generate N$4.6 billion in 2025 with continued growth expected from improved air connectivity and diversified marketing strategies.
The Namibia Tourism Board chief says Namibia must collaborate with neighbouring countries to attract long-distance tourists who want multi-country itineraries. The remarks came as Proflight Zambia announced direct flights between Windhoek and Lusaka starting March 2026, operating three times weekly to support regional tourism and travel connectivity.
Namibia has nearly doubled its international air connectivity since 2023 and achieved the largest capacity growth among southern African countries without a flag carrier, with passenger numbers growing 11% in early 2025. The Air Connect Namibia initiative has secured several new international routes and added over 120,000 new seats to the network, positioning the country as a premier tourism and investment destination.