Air Namibia to suspend tourist route

AIR NAMIBIA will indefinitely
suspend Windhoek-Maun
flights on October 30 as
part of its flight schedule
rationalisation plan.
The flight was launched
in 2005 and has been
operating for the past 11
years.
Wimpie van Vuuren,
Air Namibia’s senior
manager for sales and
marketing, told TNW the
route was predominantly
“one-directional” with
passengers transiting
through Maun and not
returning the same way
and only saw traffic
during the tourist high
season between July and
November.
The flights were part of
a triangular route where
passengers flew WindhoekMaun-Victoria
FallsWindhoek.
Because Air
Namibia could not obtain
fifth freedom rights on the
route, it missed out on
passenger traffic between
Maun and Vic Falls, said
Wimpie. The airline will
continue to operate the
scheduled service to
Victoria Falls, minus the
stop in Maun. “We’ve seen
excellent growth on the Vic
Falls flights and we want to
continue with that.
“Over the last few years
the actual growth achieved
on the route did not justify
the continuation of flights
and we give preference
to routes where there is
better growth potential.”
The airline said affected
passengers would be
accommodated on
alternative flights or
refunded.