The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) in Namibia has revealed that the country’s taxpayers have pumped nearly N$3, 5 billion into Air Namibia since 1999.
The N$500 million Finance Minister Saara-Kuugongelwa-Amadhila intends spending on Air Namibia in 2012-13, the coming financial year, is the second highest amount she has earmarked for the airline since 1999-2000. In 2007-08, taxpayers coughed up an all-time high of N$538, 7 million.
Other big chunks of cash included N$406 million in 2011-12 and N$400 million in 2003-04.
In addition to the N$3,498 billion set aside for Air Namibia for the financial years 1999-2013, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has also budgeted N$164 million for the next financial year and N$100 million for N$2014-15.
By the end of 2014-15, Air Namibia's total bill is estimated to be nearly N$3, 8 billion over 16 financial years - an average of N$235 million per year.
Air Namibia reliance on government fund laid bare by IPPR research
