Aviation connections work
PULL QUOTE: Veikko Nekundi, Minister of Works and Transport; “We stand at a moment in our history where we can leverage aviation as a tool, ...”
“Aviation is a pillar of our economic diversification, development, and regional influence,” said Kristofine Naunyango, advisor to the Minister of Works and Transport, Veikko Nekundi, while reading his speech at the Air Connect Namibia annual event.
The Namibia Airports Company (NAC) air service development initiative is a fully collaborative partnership, bringing together local stakeholders across aviation, tourism, hospitality, government, transport, industry, and investment, according to the state-owned entity.
Bisey /Uirab, chairperson of Air Connect Namibia and chief executive of NAC, said: “The outcomes achieved through Air Connect Namibia demonstrate what is possible when we work collaboratively towards a shared vision for our country. In a short period, we have nearly doubled Namibia’s international connectivity and positioned ourselves as the leading aviation growth story in the region. These results reflect real impact. Improved access to markets enables long-term economic opportunities, while better connectivity strengthens Namibia’s position as a leading tourism and investment destination.”
Nekundi stressed that aviation is not only about moving people and goods, “it is about moving our country towards prosperity.”
Critical driver
The industry is a critical driver of economic growth, a facilitator of trade and investment, a gateway to the world, a link for businesses, and a vital channel for visitors. “At its core, this industry is about making connections,” the minister added.
The NAC presentation highlighted the value of these connections, showing that the initiative has grown the number of destinations served from Namibia from eight in 2023 to 14 in 2026. Links to European destinations increased from one in 2023 to three in 2026. International passenger numbers grew 11% in both the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 financial periods, while more than 120 000 seats have been added to Namibia’s international route network.
Namibia hosted 35 international carriers and 46 countries at AviaDev in 2024 and has since implemented collaborative air service development by involving both state and private sector organisations. The 2026 project structure includes NAC, the Namibia Tourism Board, the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board, the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Walvis Bay Corridor Group, Gondwana Collection, the City of Windhoek, and the Federation of Namibian Tourism Associations.
The presentation also estimated the direct tourism spend potential from upcoming connecting flight services by Proflight Zambia and Edelweiss. Proflight Zambia is expanding its regional footprint with a new route to Windhoek from 3 March 2026. “Proflight Zambia will operate three weekly flights on the route (Windhoek to Lusaka or Windhoek to Livingstone and back) on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays,” the airline announced.
Edelweiss, Switzerland’s leading leisure airline, will begin seasonal services to Namibia from 1 June 2026, operating twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays between Zurich and Windhoek until the end of October, according to the African Travel and Tourism Association.
Income boost
NAC reports that if only 60% of these flights’ capacity is utilised, the Zambian connection could generate approximately N$119 million, while new visitors from Switzerland could contribute N$250 million. In a best-case scenario, these figures could rise to N$160 million and N$337 million, respectively.
Air Connect Namibia aims to provide carriers with up-to-date passenger and cargo data, assist with government engagement, support dedicated route marketing campaigns, launch events, optimise capacity and slots, and create domestic route support.
Nekundi added: “By strengthening our air transport capabilities, we enhance our regional influence, contribute to continental integration, and support the movement of goods, services and people in ways that other forms of transport alone cannot achieve.”
He emphasised the transformative power of aviation, particularly for tourism. “Flights remain a lifeline for hotels, lodges, tour operators, restaurants, transport companies and small businesses, both in the capital and in rural areas. Each flight that lands at our airports translates into economic activity, employment, and growth,” he said.
“A vibrant aviation sector creates opportunities for skills development, technical training and professional growth. From pilots, air traffic controllers and engineers to logistics specialists and customer service professionals, aviation builds a skilled workforce that enhances employability across the country. These are high-value jobs that can uplift communities, empower young Namibians, and contribute to addressing one of our key economic challenges: unemployment. For every direct job in the sector, several indirect jobs are created in supporting industries,” the minister added.
NAC statistics show that international passenger numbers varied from 1 033 241 in 2024 to 955 953 between January and October 2025. Of nearly a million international visitors, 396 457 came from South Africa in the first months of last year, with Germany, Zimbabwe, Angola, and Italy rounding out the top five source countries.
Since 2025, new route services have been added to Windhoek by Discover Airlines, Fly Angola, FlySafair, South African Airways, and Airlink, which now connect Johannesburg to Walvis Bay.
