FlyNamibia, Namibia’s sole airline, is set to soar higher with plans to expand its regional routes. The airline has pinpointed Victoria Falls and Maun as key destinations with promising growth potential, aiming to bolster connectivity in Southern Africa.
On 3 July 2024, FlyNamibia inaugurated a new thrice-weekly service from Windhoek’s Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) to Maun International Airport (MUB). The return journey to Windhoek includes a stop at Katima Mulilo (MPA) in Namibia. This expansion is part of FlyNamibia’s strategy to enhance regional travel options.
Flight Schedule:
- Departure: Windhoek (WDH) 10:15 to Maun (MUB) 11:15 – Wed/Fri/Sun
- Return: Maun (MUB) 11:55 to Windhoek (WDH) via Katima Mulilo (MPA) 14:15 – We/Fri/Sun
Andre Compion, Managing Director of FlyNamibia, expressed optimism about the airline’s financial future. In an interview with Travel News, he forecasted that the airline would reach profitability by 2025. “New route development requires significant capital investment and such routes only become profitable after a year of operation,” Compion stated.
Compion highlighted FlyNamibia’s commitment to maintaining aviation capacity and training Namibians in various aviation roles, such as pilots, engineers, and cabin crew. “We invest heavily in training to support the growth of the Namibian economy, which relies on safe and reliable air services,” he added.
Despite these positive strides, FlyNamibia faces several challenges, including a small domestic market and extensive distances between serviced points. “It remains hugely challenging to offer the level of service required from a scheduled airline such as FlyNamibia,” Compion acknowledged. Additionally, exchange rate fluctuations have made aviation services costly to sustain.
However, Compion remains confident in the airline’s ability to stimulate demand by offering larger and more cost-effective capacities on domestic and regional routes. He sees significant potential in Namibia’s burgeoning oil, gas, alternative energy, mining, and tourism sectors. “We see great potential in providing our services as demand increases with the growth in these sectors,” he said.
FlyNamibia also benefits from a strategic partnership with Airlink, which holds a 40% equity stake in the airline. This partnership grants FlyNamibia access to Airlink’s global network through codeshare and interline agreements, enhancing connectivity from almost any global point to Windhoek and beyond.
In closing, Compion expressed gratitude for the support from stakeholders and reaffirmed FlyNamibia’s dedication to contributing to Namibia’s economic growth through the advancement of its aviation sector.
FlyNamibia’s ambitious expansion and strategic partnerships signal a promising future for the airline and the country’s travel industry.
