Namibia and Botswana are moving ahead with plans to establish a joint national airline, with operations potentially commencing as early as December this year as the two neighbouring countries seek to pool resources and build a more competitive aviation business.
Minister of Works and Transport Veikko Nekundi said the proposed airline venture is being structured as a collaborative initiative between the two governments and is aimed at creating a stronger regional carrier capable of serving domestic, regional and eventually international markets.
Nekundi said Ethiopian Airlines is under consideration as a strategic partner, with the airline expected to contribute technical expertise, operational experience and commercial know-how drawn from its position as one of Africa’s most successful carriers. Discussions with Ethiopian Airlines have already been approved by the Namibian government, while a feasibility study has been submitted and a response from the airline is expected within the next two weeks, according to the minister.
The joint airline proposal follows calls made during bilateral engagements between Namibia and Botswana last year for stronger cooperation in aviation. Botswana’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure has since confirmed that both countries are pursuing the establishment of a national airline backed by a strategic partner. The ministry said the planned carrier will strengthen transport sector ties, directly connect Windhoek and Gaborone, and provide improved access to key regional and international destinations.
According to Nekundi, the airline is expected to begin by servicing domestic routes within the two countries before expanding into regional destinations and later long-haul international operations. Plans are also underway to develop a joint operational hub to support the airline’s growth strategy.
The initiative forms part of Namibia’s wider ambition to position itself as a logistics and transit gateway for the southern African region under its National Development Plan and Vision 2030. The government has identified aviation as a strategic pillar to support trade, tourism and regional integration, particularly for landlocked neighbours such as Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Namibia has also aligned itself with the Single African Air Transport Market, joining 38 African countries that have committed to liberalising air transport across the continent. The Ministry of Works and Transport says the open skies framework is expected to reduce tariffs, improve connectivity, stimulate tourism and facilitate greater intra-African trade and investment.
The proposed Botswana-Namibia airline comes as Namibia accelerates work on broader aviation reforms, including the development of terminal three at Hosea Kutako International Airport, the revival of its planned national carrier, Namibia Air, and the acquisition of new surveillance and air navigation systems such as primary and secondary radar, upgraded air traffic management systems and multilateration infrastructure.
The government says it is also actively pursuing public-private partnership models and engaging strategic development and financing partners as it seeks to build a sustainable and competitive aviation sector.
