Namibia and Botswana are holding tasks to establish a joint national airline. Both the countries are in active talks to establish a joint national airline. They aim at directly connecting Windhoek and Gaborone while boosting regional and international connectivity.
The joint national airline is supported by a strategic partner. This initiative stems from the Bi-National Commission in 2025, with plans to launch. Also, Namibia seeks to restore national capacity after Air Namibia’s 2021 liquidation.
Key aspects of the joint venture
Strategic Goal: It will enhance regional travel, trade, and strengthen transportation links.
Operations: The airline aims to link Windhoek and Gaborone directly, expanding to key regional destinations.
Partnership: The project is planned with a strategic partner, as confirmed by Namibia’s President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and Botswana’s President Duma Gideon Boko.
Context: Namibia is simultaneously moving forward with plans for a new airline, “Namibia Air” to be operational by the end of 2026. It is looking at models that include partners like Ethiopian Airlines.
This initiative is part of broader efforts, such as the Bi-National Commission, to solidify transport infrastructure between the two nations.
Botswana and Namibia are holding tasks to establish a joint national airline 🇧🇼 🇳🇦 pic.twitter.com/vMHOMVHyDD
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Ministry Confirms the Project
The Ministry of Works and Transport of Namibia said that the initiative remains at a negotiation and consultation stage, with no timelines set for final decisions.
Ministry of Works and Transport Executive Director – Jonas Sheelongo stated that on Monday the discussions between the Governments of Namibia and Botswana are ongoing and still open-ended.
He said that they are definitely consulting with the Botswana counterparts, and the consultations have been on for some time and might take time, but they have not set deadlines on when they can complete these because this is negotiable and these take time.
Sheelongo added that Namibia is also exploring how best to structure and manage a possible airline, including engagement with experienced carriers on the continent. When it comes to the issue of speaking to other experienced airlines, he would suggest that they should give them time to brief the nation when they are ready to talk on that issue.
Operational Structure of the Joint Airline
As per the sources, the matter indicated that Namibia is also considering lessons from established airlines such as Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways to guide future management and avoid past mistakes in state-owned airlines.
Executive Director – Sheelongo confirmed that no decision has been made yet on the operational structure of the proposed airline, nor has a name been agreed upon. He said consultations remain wide-ranging, including discussions on airline management models.
Till date, the government has allocated N$20 million for feasibility studies, while a technical committee has been established to guide the process.
The discussions were intensified last week by Namibia’s Minister of Works and Transport – Veikko Nekundi and Botswana’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure – Noah Salake, following a meeting between the two countries’ ministers and technical teams in the Erongo Region.
The meeting was held alongside discussions on progress of the N$16 billion Trans-Kalahari Railway (TKR) project. At the meeting, Nekundi said Namibia’s intention is to proceed with the airline plan in partnership with Botswana.