(Posted 28th September 2022)
Airlink, the independent South African-based airline, is acquiring a 40 percent strategic equity holding in privately-owned Windhoek-based FlyNamibia in an investment which will accelerate Namibia’s post-pandemic recovery and drive the expansion of efficient scheduled airline services to, from and within Namibia.
Through this venture, Airlink and FlyNamibia will support Namibia’s National Transport
Policy vision by providing safe, reliable, effective, efficient and affordable air transport with
world-class service levels. By enhancing productivity in economic sectors and developing
complementary engines of growth, it is also aligned with the Economic Advancement
objectives set out under Namibia’s Harambee Prosperity Plan II for 2021-2025.
The investment, worth an undisclosed monetary sum, is underpinned by a commercial
franchise agreement under which FlyNamibia will adopt Airlink’s “4Z” International Air
Transport Association (IATA) designator for its ticket sales and scheduled flights, while
retaining its unique corporate identity, brand and aircraft livery. It will also see FlyNamibia’s
inventory attaining higher visibility and being promoted on Airlink’s computerised reservation
system and on those of major foreign airlines which have partnered with Airlink.
The changes will come into effect as soon as practicable, after which all existing bookings
for FlyNamibia flights will be amended at no cost or inconvenience to customers.
Airlink will also provide additional airline operations, technical and commercial skills training
and development support for FlyNamibia.
“Namibia is unique, not only in its natural, mineral and human wealth, but its relatively small
population relative to the size of its territory. With this in mind, we will be well-placed to
achieve the economies of scale to make it economically feasible to connect and serve
Namibia’s smaller towns and cities with Windhoek and other regional destinations while also
providing convenient and easy access to other markets around the world. This will also
support our and Namibia’s shared longer-term ambition to establish Hosea Kutako
International Airport as the central connecting hub and base. In doing so, we will help to
make air travel and transport more efficient and enhance Namibia’s competitive position as a
destination for trade and tourism,” explained Airlink Chief Executive and Managing Director,
Rodger Foster.
“Namibia’s economy is expanding and has the potential to grow rapidly with new off-shore
drilling and mining, the resurgence in tourism and its establishment as a pioneering producer
of green hydrogen for the global energy market. To realise its full economic potential,
Namibia will depend increasingly upon air connectivity to move people and goods between
markets. By joining hands with Airlink and becoming part of its global network, we will be
even better able to serve foreign and local tourists and businesses. In addition, we will be
building capacity, developing aviation skills and creating direct and indirect job
opportunities,” said FlyNamibia Managing Director, Andre Compion.
From its Johannesburg hub, Airlink serves Windhoek up to four times a day and Walvis Bay
daily. In addition, from Cape Town, Airlink operates up to three return flights a day to
Windhoek and a daily return service to Walvis Bay.
FlyNamibia currently operates domestic flights from Windhoek’s Eros Airport to Ondangwa,
Rundu and Katima Mulilo and regional flights to Cape Town operating six times a week from
Hosea Kutako International Airport.
Airlink and FlyNamibia will optimise their schedules to provide the most convenient
connections between their respective flights and with long-haul inter-continental flights
provided by Airlink’s other commercial partners, which include more than 20 of the world’s
leading global airlines.
About FlyNamibia
FlyNamibia is an independent airline providing domestic and regional flights. It began
scheduled passenger operations in June 2019 after it was granted carrier status by the
Namibian Transport Commission. FlyNamibia is a division of Westair Aviation, which was
established in 1967, initially as an aircraft maintenance facility, but which evolved into
Namibia’s most experienced aviation company.
About Airlink
Airlink was established in 1992 and is an independent, privately-owned, premier airline.
Choice and reliability are Airlink hallmarks and it serves over 45 destinations in 13 countries
throughout Southern Africa, Madagascar* and St Helena Island.
Airlink continues to be the most on-time domestic airline, with its growing fleet of more than
60 modern jetliners achieving a 95.14% average on-time performance in August 2022 and
96% for the year to date**. Airlink is an International Air Transport Association (IATA)
member and accredited under its safety audit programme.
- Flights serving Madagascar will resume when the current flight restrictions are lifted.
**measured by the Airports Company South Africa.
