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Airlink acquires 40% stake in FlyNamibia

Airlink acquires 40% stake in FlyNamibia

Independent South African-based airline, Airlink is acquiring a 40% strategic equity holding in privately-owned Windhoek-based FlyNamibia.

According to a joint statement released this week, the venture will allow Airlink and FlyNamibia to support Namibia’s National Transport Policy vision by providing safe, reliable, effective, efficient, and affordable air transport with world-class service levels.

The investment, worth an undisclosed monetary sum, is underpinned by a commercial franchise agreement under which FlyNamibia will adopt Airlink’s ‘4Z’ International Air Transport Association designator for its ticket sales and scheduled flights while retaining its unique corporate identity, brand, and aircraft livery.

It will also see FlyNamibia’s inventory attaining higher visibility and being promoted on Airlink’s computerised reservation system and on those of major foreign airlines which have partnered with Airlink.

The changes will come into effect as soon as practicable, after which all existing bookings for FlyNamibia flights will be amended at no cost or inconvenience to customers.

Airlink will also provide additional airline operations, technical and commercial skills training, and development support for FlyNamibia.

Airlink Chief Executive and Managing Director, Rodger Foster said the venture will position them to achieve the economies of scale to make it economically feasible to connect and serve Namibia’s smaller towns and cities with Windhoek and other regional destinations.

“This will also support our and Namibia’s shared longer-term ambition to establish Hosea Kutako International Airport as the central connecting hub and base. In doing so, we will help to make air travel and transport more efficient and enhance Namibia’s competitive position as a destination for trade and tourism,” said Foster.

FlyNamibia Managing Director, Andre Compion said to realise its full economic potential, Namibia will depend increasingly upon air connectivity to move people and goods between markets.

“By joining hands with Airlink and becoming part of its global network, we will be even better able to serve foreign and local tourists and businesses. In addition, we will be building capacity, developing aviation skills, and creating direct and indirect job opportunities,” said Compion.

From its Johannesburg hub, Airlink serves Windhoek up to four times a day and Walvis Bay daily. In addition, from Cape Town, Airlink operates up to three return flights a day to Windhoek and daily return service to Walvis Bay.

FlyNamibia currently operates domestic flights from Windhoek’s Eros Airport to Ondangwa, Rundu, and Katima Mulilo and regional flights to Cape Town operating six times a week from Hosea Kutako International Airport.

Airlink and FlyNamibia will optimize their schedules to provide the most convenient connections between their respective flights and with long-haul inter-continental flights provided by Airlink’s other commercial partners, which include more than 20 of the world’s leading global airlines.


 

About The Author

Donald Matthys

Donald Matthys has been part of the media fraternity since 2015. He has been working at the Namibia Economist for the past three years mainly covering business, tourism and agriculture. Donald occasionally refers to himself as a theatre maker and has staged two theatre plays so far. Follow him on twitter at @zuleitmatthys