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 is dead and buried
“Air Namibia is dead and buried, Amta is a vegetable, Fishcor smells fishy, and so much more is no more.”
Time For The Uneducated to Lead SOEsThe Namibian
Air Namibia is no more
“It's even sadder to scan all the airline boards, looking for that signature yellow and blue as a point of pride and remembering that Air Namibia is no more.”
First FlightThe Namibian
Air Namibia was shut down by President Geingob and his Cabinet
“But a time will come when president Hage Geingob and his Cabinet will be thanked for finally working up the courage to take a difficult decision and put the country out of one of its worst miseries.”
Air Namibia: It's Now or NeverThe Namibian
Air Namibia has operated as an insolvent business for more than two-thirds of its existence since Namibia's independence
“In essence, Air Namibia has operated as an insolvent business for more than two thirds of its existence since Namibia's independence.”
Air Namibia: It's Now or NeverNamibia 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 →