Also known as: the liquidated Air Namibia
Planned joint national airline of Namibia and Botswana with Ethiopian Airlines as strategic operating partner, targeting commercial launch by end of 2026.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Air Namibia ceased operations and was liquidated in 2021
“The previous national airline, Air Namibia, ceased operations and was liquidated in 2021, after recording financial losses that cost the government billions of Namibia dollars.”
No appointments made for Namibia Air yet – ministryNew Era
Air Namibia collapsed five years ago
“Five years after the collapse of Air Namibia, Namibia's aviation ambitions have gone into overdrive.”
Namibia Air takes offThe Namibian
Air Namibia was liquidated in March 2021
“Namibia Air is being established more than five years after the liquidation of Air Namibia in March 2021 after no opposing papers were filed against an application brought by the Namibia Airports Company (NAC).”
Govt to buy Namibia Airaircraft worth N$600mInformanté
Air Namibia was placed into voluntary liquidation in February 2021 due to insurmountable debts
“Air Namibia was placed into voluntary liquidation in February 2021 due to insurmountable debts exceeding N$5 billion and years of unsustainable government subsidies.”
20 million feasibility study underway to revive national airline – NekundiNew Era
Air Namibia was liquidated in February 2021 after years of financial losses and poor management
“Namibia's previous flag carrier was liquidated in February 2021 after years of financial losses, poor management, and repeated State bailouts.”
Namibia, Botswana twin to establish airlineThe Namibian
Air Namibia underwent liquidation
“Former Air Namibia employees petitioned the Supreme Court yesterday, requesting an expedited hearing in a dispute over unpaid severance payments that have been pending for almost five years, following the airline's liquidation.”
Former Air Namibia employees remain unpaidNew Era
Air Namibia ceased operations and was liquidated in 2021
“Former employees of Air Namibia, which ceased operations and was liquidated in 2021, handed a petition to the Supreme Court yesterday.”
Ex-Air Namibia employees petition Supreme CourtThe Namibian
Air Namibia was handed N$10-million cheque to support airline revival
“I assure you the minister tasked with reviewing all means necessary to revive the airline would understand it, as he was handed a N$10-million cheque to support this endeavour.”
Bring Back Air Namibia – But Do It RightThe Namibian
Air Namibia contributed more than N$700 million to the country's GDP in 2015/16
“According to the article, at that time (2015/16), Air Namibia contributed more than N$700 million to the country's GDP and sustained over 4 500 jobs countrywide.”
Air Namibia's Liquidation: Was It Really Logical?The Namibian
Air Namibia was liquidated early, before 2020/21 projections could be tested
“Of course, the onset of Covid-19 and the early closure of the airline means we will never find out how accurate these predictions would have been.”
Air Namibia's Liquidation: Was It Really Logical?Namibia Air has been granted approval to operate scheduled and unscheduled air services by transport commissioner Joshua Kaumbi, with licences valid for five years from 6 August 2026. The airline still requires an Air Operator Certificate before commercial operations can begin, with the government targeting the first week of December for initial flights.
7 August 2026 · New Era →
Namibia Air has been granted approval to operate scheduled and unscheduled air services by transport commissioner Joshua Kaumbi, with licences valid for five years from 6 August 2026. The airline still requires an Air Operator Certificate before commercial operations can begin, with the government targeting the first week of December for initial flights.
7 August 2026 · New Era →
The Independent Patriots for Change has raised concerns over Namibia Air's five-year Air Operating Licence, warning that the approval does not guarantee the airline's readiness to commence commercial operations. IPC shadow minister Nelson Kalangula cautioned against repeating failures of the former national carrier Air Namibia, questioning the government's timeline to launch commercial flights in December and distinguishing between an Air Operating Licence and an Air Operator Certificate.
7 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia Air has received its Air Operating Licenses, effective from 6 August and valid for five years. The airline's first flight is scheduled for the first week of December, with the next stage being acquisition of an Air Operator Certificate.
6 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Works and Transport says no executive or leadership appointments have been made for the planned national airline Namibia Air, dismissing reports linking individuals to top positions. The ministry said a technical committee was established in 2025 to prepare for the airline's creation, but no formal vacancies exist and candidates will go through normal government recruitment and vetting processes when the airline is ready to recruit.
25 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Independent Patriots for Change has called for an urgent review of senior appointments in the public sector, alleging that the government continues to appoint or retain officials previously implicated in forensic investigations and disciplinary proceedings. The party says this practice of "recycling of failure"—transferring or promoting officials accused of misconduct rather than holding them accountable—is eroding accountability and weakening state institutions.
24 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Five years after Air Namibia's collapse, Namibia Air has filed aviation licence applications to operate passenger and cargo services domestically, regionally and internationally, with the government aiming to launch the fully operational joint airline with Botswana by the end of 2026 and Ethiopian Airlines as the strategic operating partner.
22 July 2026 · New Era →
Namibia Air (Pty) Ltd has proposed one-way ticket prices below N$2,000 on regional routes, with Windhoek-Johannesburg flights estimated at N$1,881.88 and Windhoek-Cape Town at approximately N$1,939.08, excluding airport taxes and security charges. The carrier is seeking Transport Commission approval to operate scheduled and non-scheduled passenger and cargo services, with actual fares to vary by demand, booking periods, and operational factors under a dynamic pricing model.
22 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The government, through Namibia Air, is planning to acquire seven aircraft valued at N$594 million to launch the new airline by late 2026, following Air Namibia's liquidation. The airline has applied for licenses to operate scheduled and charter flights domestically, regionally, and internationally.
21 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibian government has budgeted about N$20 million for a feasibility study to revive Air Namibia, which was placed into voluntary liquidation in February 2021 due to debts exceeding N$5 billion. Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi told Parliament that the study has been completed and is under review, conducted by an inter-ministerial team of experts with aviation, legal, and economic expertise.
8 June 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia and Botswana plan to launch a joint national airline by the end of this year, with Ethiopian Airlines as a strategic partner. The airline aims to create roughly 700 direct jobs and 500 indirect jobs, starting with domestic routes before expanding to regional and international markets.
8 May 2026 · New Era →
Activists and analysts warn that the government's plan to launch a state-owned airline for N$3 billion is a risky use of public funds that should instead go to water infrastructure and essential services. They cite the previous airline's collapse, which cost over N$8 billion in subsidies, and note that private operators already serve many routes.
25 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture has invited industry stakeholders to help shape the return of the Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMAs), which have been dormant since MTC withdrew funding in 2020. A stakeholder engagement session is scheduled for 14 March to strengthen the awards' credibility and gather input on award categories, industry development needs, and future direction.
10 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Nearly five years after Air Namibia's liquidation, former employees have petitioned the Supreme Court for an expedited hearing in a dispute over unpaid severance payments. Although a High Court ruling previously ordered the recalculation and payment of severance packages, the liquidators have appealed that order, leaving many employees still awaiting payment.
19 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Former employees of Air Namibia, liquidated in 2021, have petitioned the Supreme Court to either expedite or dismiss an appeal by liquidators challenging a High Court order to pay outstanding severance entitlements. The 637 employees, who received only half their severance in 2021, won a High Court case in 2024 ordering full recalculation and payment, but liquidators appealed the decision.
18 February 2026 · New Era →
David Bruni, a prominent liquidator known for handling high-profile cases including Air Namibia's liquidation and the SME Bank closure, has died aged 76. He is survived by his wife Gisela, three children, and two grandchildren.
7 February 2026 · The Namibian →
David Bruni, a prominent Namibian liquidator known for handling major cases including the Air Namibia liquidation, SME Bank closure, and Fishrot-related asset curatorship, has died aged 76. He is survived by his wife Gisela, three children and two grandchildren.
6 February 2026 · The Namibian →