Ethiopian Airlines

Also known as: Ethiopian Airlines Group

Ethiopian Airlines — African airline seeking management control in Namibia's planned joint national carrier with Botswana as strategic operating partner.

2025-04-202026-09-06

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

April 2025
20 AprThe Namibian
Ethiopian Airlines is testament to success of a national airline
Source
“A national airline is the pride and joy of every country, and Ethiopian Airlines is testament to this.”
Bring Back Air Namibia – But Do It Right

Opinion

Namibia Air must balance sovereignty with commercial expertise

The News

An editorial argues that Namibia's proposed national airline must balance legitimate demands of sovereignty against the reality that expertise cannot be manufactured overnight. The piece notes that discussions with Ethiopian Airlines and other stakeholders are continuing with no binding agreement concluded, and emphasises that Namibian expertise and national interests must remain central to the chosen model.

4 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Friday 4 September

Namibia Air must balance sovereignty with commercial expertise
An editorial argues that Namibia's proposed national airline must balance legitimate demands of sovereignty against the reality that expertise cannot be manufactured overnight. The piece notes that discussions with Ethiopian Airlines and other stakeholders are continuing with no binding agreement concluded, and emphasises that Namibian expertise and national interests must remain central to the chosen model.
4 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 2 September

Ministry disavows leaked Namibia Air and Ethiopian Airlines document
The Ministry of Works and Transport has rejected a leaked document circulating about Namibia Air's engagement with Ethiopian Airlines, stating it is not official or authorised and does not reflect any concluded agreement. The Ministry said discussions with Ethiopian Airlines and other stakeholders remain ongoing as Government assesses viable models for operationalising the proposed national airline.
2 September 2026 · Informanté →
Ministry confirms talks with Ethiopian Airlines on national airline
The Ministry of Works and Transport confirmed discussions with Ethiopian Airlines on strategic and technical cooperation to restart a national airline, while stressing that no binding commitments have been made and that Namibian expertise and national interests remain central. The ministry is consulting with local aviation operators to avoid the mistakes that led to Air Namibia's financial collapse.
2 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Government distances itself from leaked Namibia Air document
The ministry of works and transport has distanced itself from a leaked document about proposed engagements between Namibia and Ethiopian Airlines over establishing a new national carrier, saying it does not recognise the document as an official or accurate reflection of its positions. The ministry confirmed discussions with Ethiopian Airlines are continuing alongside consultations with local aviation operators and other stakeholders.
2 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 1 September

Namibia Air must balance sovereignty with expertise, analyst argues
A Windhoek Observer columnist argues that while Namibia must retain strategic control of its national airline, it should not refuse assistance from Ethiopian Airlines—which has built Africa's strongest aviation operation—simply on grounds of sovereignty. The piece contends that commercial sustainability requires learning from experienced partners in aircraft procurement, fleet management, training, and operations.
1 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Ethiopian Airlines seeks management control in Namibia Air deal
Ethiopian Airlines has indicated that management control would be a condition for any equity partnership with Namibia's planned national airline, Namibia Air. The revelation raises concerns over aviation sovereignty and the financial viability of the carrier, which the government aims to launch in December 2026.
1 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Friday 7 August

IPC warns against rushed Namibia Air commercial launch
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 →

Wednesday 22 July

Namibia Air to launch domestic, regional and international services
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 proposes sub-N$2000 fares for regional routes
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 →

Tuesday 21 July

Namibia Air plans acquisition of seven aircraft for late 2026 launch
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 →

Friday 8 May

Namibia and Botswana to establish joint national airline
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 →

Wednesday 11 March

President marks Women's Day with reflections on equality progress
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah delivered remarks on International Women's Day highlighting Namibia's strides in women's emancipation, including the recent swearing-in of the first female Supreme Court judge and the women's national soccer team's Cosafa Cup victory. She also commended an all-female Ethiopian Airlines crew, noting that women now lead nations, advance science and shape industries in ways once unimaginable.
11 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 10 March

Nandi-Ndaitwah highlights women's progress in aviation
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah joined Ethiopian Airlines at Hosea Kutako International Airport to commemorate the airline's 80th anniversary and celebrate International Women's Day, highlighting women's growing role in aviation and progress toward gender equality. She pointed to Namibia's milestones including female leadership in government and sectors such as medicine, engineering and aviation, and noted that an all-female Ethiopian Airlines crew arrival sends a powerful message to young girls about career opportunities.
10 March 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 13 February

Namibia's tourism sector recovers to 79% of pre-pandemic levels
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.
13 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 14 January

Ethiopia begins construction of major continental airport hub
Ethiopian Airlines Group has commenced construction of Bishoftu International Airport on 10 January 2026, a project designed to support African trade and connectivity through the African Continental Free Trade Area. Phase one is expected to be completed by 2030 with capacity for 60 million passengers annually, expanding to 110 million when fully built.
14 January 2026 · New Era →

Monday 12 January

Ethiopia begins construction of Africa's largest airport
Ethiopia has begun building what Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed describes as Africa's biggest airport in Bishoftu, southeast of Addis Ababa, at a cost of around $12.7 billion. The facility is expected to handle 110 million passengers annually when complete in five years, and will include a motorway and 38-kilometre high-speed railway link to the capital.
12 January 2026 · New Era →