Update – 15 September 2026: Namibia has confirmed that it is in discussions with Ethiopian Airlines about possible technical and strategic cooperation for the proposed Namibia Air, but no agreement has been signed. The airline's operating model, potential partners, fleet and route network remain under assessment. Reports suggesting a specific management arrangement or revised fleet and routes were based on an unauthorised document that the government has rejected as an official record. Namibia Air has received its air-service licences, but still needs to secure funding, aircraft and an Air Operator Certificate before operations can begin.
Update (02 September 2026): Namibia's plans for a new national airline appear to be less advanced than previously indicated. According to The Brief, the proposed Namibia Air business model is still under assessment, with government saying that no agreements have yet been signed with potential partners or investors. This means that previously reported plans regarding the airline's ownership structure, fleet and route network should still be regarded as proposals rather than confirmed operational commitments.
Update (21 August 2026): No major developments have emerged since this post - Namibia Air still has no aircraft and no AOC. But a few details have surfaced from board chairperson Jonas Sheelongo, who spoke at the licence handover ceremony in Windhoek on 07 August 2026, where the Transportation Commission formally presented Namibia Air's Air Service Licences:
- The airline plans to "start small" - possibly just one to three domestic routes initially - expanding as more aircraft become available.
- Aircraft procurement could take one to six months, depending on availability on the leasing/used market.
- Of the N$25 million the government earmarked for pre-launch preparations, Namibia Air has spent less than N$1.9 million so far, mostly on market research and planning.
- Sheelongo made no mention of the previously floated Ethiopian Airlines partnership or the Botswana joint-airline proposal - both appear to have gone quiet, at least publicly, for now.
- The ministry itself has called the December 2026 target "a challenging timeline," and aviation outlets (aeroTELEGRAPH, ch-aviation) suggest a slip into 2027 is plausible given the airline still has zero aircraft.
- The fleet plan is unchanged: four Embraer ERJ145s (~$3M each) and three E170/E175s (~$8M each) - roughly $35M / N$594M total - based between Hosea Kutako International and Eros Airport.
Update – 13 August 2026: Namibia Air has taken its biggest step yet towards becoming Namibia's new national airline. The carrier received its scheduled and non-scheduled Air Service Licences (ASL) on 06 August 2026, valid for five years. The licences allow Namibia Air to move ahead with acquiring aircraft, with the first commercial flight currently targeted for the first week of December 2026.
There is, however, an important caveat for travellers: Namibia Air does not yet have any aircraft. Funding for the planned fleet has not been finalised, and the Ministry of Works and Transport says Cabinet has yet to make a final decision on how the aircraft will be purchased or leased. Namibia Air's interim board says securing suitable aircraft could take anywhere from one to six months, depending on availability.
The proposed fleet remains seven Embraer regional jets – four ERJ 145s and three E170/E175s. The estimated cost is around US$35 million (approximately N$594 million). The airline has identified a potential market of around 800,000 round-trip passengers across its planned domestic and regional network.
Namibia Air must also obtain its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) before it can carry passengers commercially. The certification process is expected to take around 90 days, and an aircraft is required during the certification process. That makes the next few months particularly important if the December launch target is to be met.
For travellers, the practical message is therefore encouraging but cautious. Namibia Air is now considerably further along than it was when this article was first published, but December should still be regarded as a target, not a confirmed launch date. There are currently no bookable Namibia Air flights, and schedules and fares have not yet been published.
The proposed network remains centred on Windhoek, with planned services to Ondangwa, Lüderitz, Walvis Bay, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Luanda. The airline also intends to operate charter services.
One interesting detail for future passengers is that the airline plans to use dynamic pricing, meaning fares are expected to vary according to demand, fuel costs and other market conditions. The indicative fares published as part of the feasibility work are one-way prices excluding taxes and should therefore not be interpreted as final ticket prices.
Bottom line: Namibia Air now has its operating licences, but it still needs aircraft, funding and an AOC before it can actually fly. The next major milestone to watch is the aircraft acquisition. If that happens soon, Namibia could see its new national airline take to the skies before the end of 2026.
Update (06 August 2026): According to Namibian news outlets, Namibia Air has reached another important milestone after receiving its Air Service Licences, valid for the next five years from 06 August 2026. The licences were officially handed over to the airline's steering committee and Namibia's Minister of Works and Transport, Veikko Nekundi. This approval allows the new national carrier to move ahead with acquiring its planned fleet of aircraft, bringing the project a significant step closer to launch. According to the latest timeline, Namibia Air is aiming to operate its first commercial flight during the first week of December 2026. While tickets are still not on sale and routes, schedules and fares remain to be announced, this is the clearest indication yet that Namibia's new national airline is on track to take to the skies before the end of the year.
Namibia could soon have its own national airline again. More than five years after the collapse of Air Namibia, the country's plans for a new state-owned carrier are gathering momentum, with Namibia Air (Pty) Ltd taking another important step towards launching operations.
While there are still no flights to book, the airline's latest licence application provides the clearest indication yet of the routes Namibia Air hopes to serve. If the plans move ahead as expected, the new carrier could improve both domestic travel within Namibia and regional connectivity for visitors exploring Southern Africa.
Namibia Air applies for operating licences
In mid-July 2026, Namibia Air submitted an application for operating licences through a Government Gazette notice. The application covers scheduled and charter services, with proposed operations ranging from domestic flights within Namibia to regional services across Africa and, eventually, international destinations.
Although regulatory approval is only one step in the process, it signals that preparations for the airline are continuing as the Namibian government works towards its goal of launching the carrier before the end of 2026.
What the proposed route network means for travellers
For anyone planning a self-drive holiday or fly-in safari, the proposed network is encouraging. According to the licence application, Namibia Air intends to operate scheduled flights from Windhoek's Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) to:
For international visitors, regional links to Johannesburg and Cape Town would provide additional options for combining Namibia with South Africa or connecting to long-haul flights.
The planned domestic routes could also make travelling around Namibia significantly easier. Flights to Ondangwa offer convenient access to northern Namibia, including Etosha National Park and the Kunene Region, while services to Walvis Bay and Lüderitz would improve access to the Atlantic coast, the Skeleton Coast region and southern Namibia.
For travellers who prefer not to spend long hours driving between destinations, additional domestic air services would be a welcome development.
A fleet designed for regional flying
Unlike its predecessor, Namibia Air appears to be taking a measured approach to fleet planning.
The airline intends to operate seven Embraer regional aircraft:
- Four Embraer ERJ 145 regional jets
- Three Embraer E170/E175 aircraft
These aircraft are well suited to Namibia's relatively small passenger volumes and regional route network, offering an efficient alternative to operating larger aircraft on thinner routes.
According to the feasibility study, the planned domestic and regional network represents a market of approximately 800,000 round-trip passengers annually.
A fresh start after Air Namibia
Government officials have repeatedly stressed that Namibia Air is not simply a revival of Air Namibia.
Air Namibia ceased operations in February 2021 after years of financial difficulties and substantial government support. The new airline is intended to operate on commercial principles, with an interim ten-member board overseeing its establishment. Officials have also indicated that partnerships with private investors and international airlines remain under consideration as the project develops.
Can you book Namibia Air flights yet?
Not yet.
While the licence application marks significant progress, several important milestones still need to be completed before the airline enters service.
The exact launch date, flight schedules, fares and final fleet acquisition strategy have yet to be announced. The government's feasibility study is still under review, and discussions with potential airline partners—including Ethiopian Airlines—are reportedly continuing.
For now, travellers should continue planning Namibia trips using the airlines already serving the country.
Namibia's air connectivity continues to improve
Even before Namibia Air begins flying, reaching Namibia is becoming easier.
Recent developments include Edelweiss Air launching direct Zurich–Windhoek services in June 2026, Discover Airlines expanding flights between Munich and Windhoek, and Condor announcing the return of Frankfurt–Windhoek services from June 2027.
If Namibia Air launches as planned later this year, it will add another option for visitors and strengthen domestic connectivity, making it easier to explore one of Southern Africa's most rewarding self-drive destinations.
Whether you're planning your first safari in Etosha National Park, exploring the dramatic landscapes around Lüderitz or combining Namibia with neighbouring countries, improved air links could make future itineraries considerably more flexible.
What travellers should know
- Namibia Air has applied for operating licences covering scheduled and charter services.
- Proposed destinations include Ondangwa, Lüderitz, Walvis Bay, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Luanda.
- The airline plans to operate a fleet of seven Embraer regional aircraft.
- Flights are not yet available for booking.
- The Namibian government is targeting a launch before the end of 2026, although no firm start date has been announced.
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