The Namibian government will pursue a public-private partnership in order to revive the country’s failed flag carrier, Air Namibia, four years after the airline ceased all operations.
The Presidency of Namibia confirmed on April 1, 2025, that the country's newly appointed president is committed to reviving Air Namibia. “President Nandi-Ndaitwah has committed to reviving the national airline through well-intentioned strategic measures aimed at avoiding past mistakes,” stated the Presidency in social media post.
The Namibian government outlined a phased implementation plan to relaunch its national airline under a public-private partnership model.
The government confirmed that a market study will be completed by June, followed by the finalisation of an expression of interest by August. Negotiations with potential partners are expected to conclude by December of this year, paving the way for the airline’s planned launch between June and December 2026.
The initiative aims to ensure a sustainable business framework for the revived carrier.
However, in stark contrast to the government's broader aviation revival strategy, Minister of Works and Transport, Veikko Nekundi, emphasised at a press briefing that Air Namibia would not be revived. Instead, a completely new national airline with a different name will be established as part of the country's efforts to rebuild its air travel sector.
Air Namibia ceased all operations in February 2021, after facing years of financial woes. Then Namibian finance minister Ipumbu Shiimi said at the time of the airlines collapse that his government had spent about 8.4bn Namibian dollars ($446.3 million) on the airline over the last decade and that another bailout would not be possible.
Local media has also reported that this new implementation plan indicates that a 3bn Namibian-dollar ($163 million) investment is required in the next five years to support the new airline.