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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
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What’s been said

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

  1. August 2026

  2. Windhoek Observer

    Namibia Air has officially received Air Operating Licences, valid for five years from 6 August 2026

    Source

    “Patience Makwele Namibia Air has officially received its Air Operating Licences, valid for five years from 6 August 2026, paving the way for the national carrier to acquire aircraft and begin operations.”

    Namibia Air officially cleared for launch
  3. July 2026

  4. New Era

    Namibia Air published applications in Government Gazette revealing plans to operate domestic, regional and international passenger and cargo services

    Source

    “Fresh applications published in a recent Government Gazette reveal Namibia Air's ambitious plans to operate an extensive network of domestic, regional and international passenger and cargo services.”

    Namibia Air takes off

  5. Windhoek Observer

    Namibia Air proposed one-way ticket prices of less than N$2,000 on key regional routes

    Source

    “Allexer Namundjembo Namibia Air (Pty) Ltd has proposed one-way ticket prices of less than N$2 000 on key regional routes as the planned national carrier moves closer to securing approval to begin operations.”

    Namibia Air proposes fares below N$2 000 for regional flights as carrier nears launch

  6. Windhoek Observer

    Namibia Air applied to operate routes connecting Windhoek with destinations in Namibia and regional destinations

    Source

    “The airline has applied to operate routes connecting Windhoek with destinations in Namibia, including Ondangwa, Walvis Bay, Lüderitz, Oranjemund, Rundu and Mpacha.”

    Namibia Air proposes fares below N$2 000 for regional flights as carrier nears launch

  7. The Namibian

    Namibia Air is planning on acquiring seven aircraft valued at N$594 million

    Source

    “The government, through Namibia Air, is planning on acquiring seven aircraft valued at N$594 million for the new airline.”

    Govt to buy Namibia Airaircraft worth N$600m

  8. The Namibian

    Namibia Air is scheduled to launch by late 2026

    Source

    “Namibia Air is scheduled to launch by late 2026, succeeding the liquidated Air Namibia.”

    Govt to buy Namibia Airaircraft worth N$600m
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

  1. 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

  1. 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 →

  2. 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

  1. 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 →

  2. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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 →

  2. 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 →

  3. 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

  1. 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 →

  2. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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 →

  2. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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 →

Namibia Air — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute