Namibia: Govt Rejects Leaked Namibia Air Document...'Commercially Viable' National Carrierremains Under Development

What the report says

Namibia’s government has pushed back against a leaked document circulating publicly about plans for Namibia Air, the proposed new national carrier. In a statement reported by New Era and distributed by AllAfrica, the Ministry of Works and Transport said the paper is not an official government record and should not be treated as policy or as proof of any concluded deal with Ethiopian Airlines.

The ministry, through Executive Director Jonas Sheelongo, said discussions with Ethiopian Airlines are ongoing, but no binding commitments have been signed. It also said consultations are continuing with local aviation operators and other stakeholders as officials assess possible technical and commercial models for the airline. The project remains under development, and authorities said they are still considering what arrangement would be most viable and sustainable.

The government’s caution reflects the collapse of Air Namibia, which shut down after severe financial losses. Officials said the new carrier must avoid repeating those mistakes and instead be built on a model that is financially sustainable, operationally efficient and commercially viable. The ministry said all decisions will depend on technical, financial and commercial review processes and must still go through the proper approvals.

The report says the airline is viewed as potentially important for Namibia’s connectivity, tourism and economic growth, but it also raises concerns about public financial exposure if the venture requires ongoing state support.