Home
FacebookSearchMenu
  • Subscribe (free)
  • Subscribe (free)
  • News
  • Features
  • TravelInfo
  • Columns
  • Community
  • Sponsored
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Send Us News

Share

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • E-mail
  • Print

Air Namibia grounded last night, saved this morning

09 Jul 2020 - by Hilka Birns
Comments | 0

AIR Namibia remains in the air after the Namibian High Court on Thursday set aside the suspension of the carrier’s scheduled air service licence.

Following the court order, Air Namibia issued a statement saying it would continue to fly all domestic flights as per schedule. 

The cash-strapped airline was grounded at midnight on Wednesday (July 8) after the Transportation Commission of Namibia suspended its scheduled air service licence, saying the airline was financially unable to provide a safe and reliable air service.

However, responding to an urgent application by Air Namibia, the Namibian High Court in Windhoek on Thursday morning interdicted the Transportation Commission from implementing the licence suspension, declaring it “unlawful and invalid”. The court ordered the respondents – the Transport Commission of Namibia, the Namibian Civil Aviation Authority, the Minister of Works and Transport and the Namibian Government – to show cause on August 3 why the interdict should not be made final.

In an earlier statement, Transportation Commission of Namibia chairperson, Eldorette Harmse, gave Air Namibia until July 22 to prove that it had enough funding to meet the requirements of the country’s Air Services Licensing Act, failing which the air licence would be cancelled. It also demanded a full report on the findings of a Lufthansa audit done in January following allegations around safety, operations and finances.

Air Namibia has been operating scheduled domestic services since May 6 as that country scaled down its COVID-19 alert level, but as yet has not been operating commercial regional or international flights.

The airline’s precarious financial situation already resulted in a suspension of its air licence in November 2019.

The airline needs N$8bn (R8bn) to carry on as a going concern, but has failed to produce financial reports in recent years, a requirement of Namibia’s Air Services Licensing Act. According to the commission, only N$983m (R983m) has been made available to the airline in the last budget, representing only 12% of the amount needed. “N$600m (R600m) of this amount will be taken up for payment of existing aircraft leases and the balance hardly covers the liability for unflown revenue. There is no availability of funds to pay other public enterprises or ordinary creditors,” the commission says. Last month, Namibian President, Hage Geingob, called for Air Namibia’s liquidation, saying his government could no longer bail out its flag carrier.

 

Sign up to our mailing list and get daily news headlines and weekly features directly to your inbox free.

Last-minute cruises? Still plenty of space

Yesterday
Comments | 0

Operating safely in a more conflict-ridden world

Column
Yesterday
Comments | 0

Edelweiss adds Windhoek flights

Yesterday
Comments | 0

Blaauwberg Beach Hotel unveils new event venue

Yesterday
Comments | 0

Feature: Regent unveils new Spotlight Voyages

Yesterday
Comments | 0

MK backtracks on sports equipment charge

Yesterday
Comments | 0

Spain opens Roman temple to tourists

Yesterday
Comments | 0

Air travel round-up: Qatar resumes several Middle East routes

Yesterday
Comments | 0

Latest Changes on Travelinfo (03Jul'25)

Yesterday
Comments | 0

OR Tambo queues spark airline warnings

02 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

KQ and QR enter strategic partnership

02 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

Coalition calls for premium-class air travel tax

02 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

Feature: Fastjet flies to the heart of Zambia

02 Jul 2025
Comments | 0
  • Load more

FeatureClick to view

MICE in cruising July 2025

Poll

Have your clients experienced longer queues than usual at security at OR Tambo International in recent weeks?
  • © Now Media
  • Privacy Policy
  • Travel News on Facebook
  • eTNW Twitter
  • Travel News RSS
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Send Us News