Friday, 11 September 2026

Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026

Friday, 11 September 2026

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Namibian press · Organization

Namibia Air

Also known as: Namibia Air (Pty) Ltd · proposed Namibia Air

Namibia Air — Namibia's proposed national airline, targeting December 2026 launch with Ethiopian Airlines as strategic partner and Botswana as joint venture partner.

2025-11-232026-09-11

What’s been said

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

September 2026
4 SeptWindhoek Observer
Namibia Air must balance legitimate demands of sovereignty with reality that expertise cannot be manufactured overnight
Source
“Namibia Air must balance the legitimate demands of sovereignty with the uncomfortable reality that expertise cannot be manufactured overnight”
The blessing and curse of a national airline
1 SeptWindhoek Observer
Namibia Air must not become Air Namibia 2.0
Source
“Namibia Air must not become Air Namibia 2.0.”
Namibia Air must learn to fly before it insists on flying alone
1 SeptWindhoek Observer
Namibia Air is planned for launch in December 2026
Source
“The revelation has raised fresh concerns over Namibia's aviation sovereignty, the role of local aviation professionals and the financial viability of the carrier, which the government hopes to launch in December 2026.”
Namibia Air at risk of foreign takeover
August 2026
25 AugThe Namibian
Namibia Air was approved as name for fully state-owned national airline entity by Cabinet in November 2025
Source
“The Cabinet approved the name 'Namibia Air (Pty) Ltd' in November 2025: a fully state-owned entity for now, with a public-private partnership model still under negotiation, an interim board, and a launch targeted for the beginning of December 2026.”
Air Namibia’s Ghost Haunts New National Carrier After 25 Years
9 AugInformanté
Namibia Air received Air Service Licences for scheduled and non-scheduled air services
Source
“THE Ministry of Works and Transport has reached a significant milestone in the advancement of Namibia's aviation sector with the official handover of Air Service Licences to Namibia Air, clearing a critical path toward the establishment of the country's new national carrier.”
Namibia Air (Pty) Ltd receives Air Service Licences, achieving key milestone toward launch of national carrier
8 AugThe Namibian
Namibia Air is set for its first flight in December
Source
“Namibia Air is set for its first flight in December, but the national carrier is yet to secure funding and buy aircraft.”
Namibia Air eyes December lift-off, planeless
7 AugNew Era
Namibia Air received approval to operate scheduled and unscheduled air services
Source
“Namibia Air has taken another step towards becoming the country's national airline after it received approval to operate scheduled and unscheduled air services.”
Namibia Air gets greenlight
7 AugWindhoek Observer
Namibia Air received five-year Air Operating Licence from Transport Commission
Source
“The government announced on Thursday that Namibia Air had received a five-year Air Operating Licence from the Transport Commission, marking a step towards establishing a new national airline following the liquidation of Air Namibia in 2021.”
IPC raises concerns over Namibia Air Licence, warns against rushed launch
6 AugThe Namibian
Namibia Air has received Air Operating Licenses effective from 6 August, valid for five years
Source
“Namibia Air has received its Air Operating Licenses that are effective from 6 August and valid for five years.”
Namibia Air receives licenses for operations
6 AugThe Namibian
Namibia Air has scheduled first flight for first week of December
Source
“The licenses allows Namibia air to acquire the aircrafts with the first flight scheduled to take off in the first week of December.”
Namibia Air receives licenses for operations

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 →
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 →

Tuesday 25 August

Air Namibia's debt spiral warns successor carrier of systemic risks
A 2001 analysis predicted Air Namibia would collapse without addressing underlying problems rather than applying temporary fixes; after the airline's liquidation and 25 years later, the author revisits the warning as Namibia Air takes shape. The piece applies systems-thinking theory to argue that repeated government bailouts masked structural failures rather than solving them.
25 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 9 August

Namibia Air receives air service licences for national carrier
The Transportation Commission of Namibia has approved Namibia Air's applications for scheduled and non-scheduled air service licences, formally handing them over to the Ministry of Works and Transport. The approval clears a critical path toward establishing the country's new national carrier.
9 August 2026 · Informanté →

Saturday 8 August

Namibia Air targets December launch without secured funding or aircraft
Namibia Air received its air service licence but has yet to secure funding or purchase aircraft, with the Cabinet still to decide on the proposed course of action. The airline's board chairperson said acquiring aircraft could take one to six months depending on lease availability.
8 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 7 August

IPC warns Namibia Air faces critical hurdles before commercial flights
The Independent Patriots for Change cautions that Namibia Air's air operating licence should not be mistaken for approval to fly commercially, warning that regulatory, operational and financial requirements remain outstanding. The opposition party questions the government's target of launching flights by December, noting the licensing process has already taken eight months instead of the usual two.
7 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia Air receives operational licences from transport commissioner
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 →
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 →

Thursday 6 August

Namibia Air receives operating licenses for first flight
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 →
Namibia Air receives five-year operating licence
Namibia Air has received its Air Operating Licences valid for five years from 6 August 2026, enabling the national carrier to acquire aircraft and begin operations. The airline's first commercial flight is expected during the first week of December.
6 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 27 July

Ministry denies Namibia Air leadership appointments made
The Ministry of Works and Transport stated that no leadership appointments have been made for the proposed national airline, Namibia Air, following allegations by the official opposition.
27 July 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Saturday 25 July

No leadership posts filled for Namibia Air yet
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 →

Friday 24 July

IPC calls for review of senior public sector appointments
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 →

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 →

Thursday 23 April

LPM demands SOEs end reliance on government bailouts
The Landless People's Movement is calling for state-owned enterprises to become financially independent and end their dependence on public funds, arguing that since 1999 most SOEs have underperformed and failed to innovate. LPM leaders attribute poor performance to politically motivated appointments and said limited public resources should instead address urgent socio-economic needs.
23 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 25 March

Water sector criticises N$3 billion national airline plan
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 →

Wednesday 18 February

Ex-Air Namibia employees petition Supreme Court for severance pay
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 →