Namibia Air plans to acquire seven aircraft for N$594 million ahead of 2026 launch
via The Namibian2 min read
The Namibian government, through the new entity Namibia Air, intends to purchase seven aircraft valued at N$594 million for its planned launch by late 2026. This new airline is set to replace the liquidated Air Namibia, which ceased operations in March 2021. Namibia Air has applied for licenses to operate scheduled and charter flights domestically, across Africa, and internationally. The airline projects a market size of 800,000 round-trip passengers on its domestic and regional routes. To serve this market, the plan includes acquiring four Embraer ERJ 145 jets at an estimated US$3 million each and three Embraer E170 / E175 jets at an estimated US$8 million each. Minister of Works and Transport Veikko Nekundi previously stated that a decision on whether to buy or lease aircraft would be made after an economic analysis. Former Air Namibia employees may be considered for employment at Namibia Air if they possess the necessary skills and experience. Proposed scheduled services include routes connecting Windhoek to domestic hubs like Ondangwa, L眉deritz, and Walvis Bay, as well as regional cities such as Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Luanda. The airline will implement dynamic pricing and revenue management. Air Namibia was liquidated due to N$714 million owed to the Namibia Airports Company and accumulated losses exceeding N$10 billion over a decade, leading to significant job losses. Efforts to establish a new national carrier since then, including discussions with Fly Etosha and
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Namibia is awaiting South Africa to enact enabling legislation, anticipated by mid-2027, to facilitate the mutual transfer of sentenced prisoners between the two nations. Commissioner General of the Namibian Correctional Service, Raphael Hamunyela, stated that Namibia has finalized its part of the agreement, but South Africa currently lacks the domestic law required for such transfers. The South African government announced that its Ministry of Correctional Services signed an agreement on cooperation with Namibia, similar to a recent one with Botswana, to advance interstate prisoner transfers. However, transfers will only commence once the necessary legislation is in place, with proposed amendments to the Correctional Services Act currently under review. South Africa's Minister of Correctional Services, Pieter Groenewald, and Namibia's Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Lucia Iipumbu, signed the agreement during the fourth session of the South Africa-Namibia Binational Commission. This framework also includes technical cooperation in areas like training and exchange of best practices. The South African ministry noted that foreign nationals often prefer to serve sentences in their home countries for rehabilitation, and such transfers could ease budgetary pressure. Namibia already has transfer arrangements with Angola and Botswana. As of February 17, 465 foreign nationals, including 450 from the SADC region, are detained in Namibian prisons, contributin
Minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa has declared that the era of 'business as usual' for rural development is over, urging regional councils to enhance project implementation and ensure public resources yield measurable community benefits. This message was delivered by deputy minister of urban and rural development Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele at the 2026 Annual Rural Development Progress Review and Planning Workshop in Swakopmund. Sankwasa expressed concern over incomplete projects, unspent development funds, and idle rural development centers, viewing these as missed opportunities that erode public trust. He emphasized that future resource allocation will prioritize regional councils demonstrating sound planning, innovation, and effective implementation. Infrastructure projects, including schools, community facilities, and water schemes, must be durable and provide lasting benefits, with public servants upholding integrity, accountability, and transparency. Regional councils are responsible for timely project completion and full utilization of allocated funds to improve Namibian lives. Sankwasa noted the ministry's N$10 million allocation for food-for-work and cash-for-work initiatives this financial year, aimed at providing temporary income support and strengthening vulnerable households' resilience. The workshop coincides with the government's review of the national rural development policy and strategy, offering stakeholders a platform to exchange ideas and
Windhoek, Namibia's capital, is experiencing significant pressure on its housing market due to rapid urbanization, population growth, and a limited housing supply. The shortage is particularly acute in the residential rental market, where demand for affordable and middle-income housing far exceeds availability. This has led to increased competition among tenants and rising rental prices, making housing less affordable for many Namibians. Challenges include limited serviced land, high development costs, and slow expansion of housing. An example is the Otjomuise Extension 10 Mass Housing Development Project, where 362 units remained unoccupied due to delays and disputes, highlighting issues with traditional government-led housing models. A potential solution lies in developing a stronger market for residential-real estate investment trusts R-reits. R-reits pool capital from investors to fund income-generating real estate assets, offering a way to expand housing supply and create investment opportunities. While Reits are established globally, Namibia's market is underdeveloped and primarily focused on commercial properties. Expanding into residential-focused R-reits could mobilize capital from institutional investors, pension funds, and private investors for rental housing development. South Africa's Reit market, one of Africa's largest, demonstrates how a well-regulated framework can support property market development. Namibia currently has only two listed Reits, presenting an