The Botswanan Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has confirmed Namibia’s and Botswana’s intention to establish a new joint airline. This move follows the previous liquidation of the state-owned Air Namibia and an ongoing bout of financial trouble for Botswana’s own state airline, Air Botswana.
A new future for air travel in Botswana and Namibia
Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and Botswanan President Duma Gideon Boko first proposed the plan during last year’s annual Bi-National Commission held in Namibia. Following its confirmation on Friday, April 17, 2026, Botswana’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure took to social media to express optimism for the new venture, stating:
“The airline will cement our relationship in the transport sector, connect Windhoek International and Gaborone directly to each other and to key regional and international destinations. Just as we lay rail across the Kalahari Desert, we will also lay flight paths across African skies together.”
According to the Windhoek Observer, Namibia is also in the process of launching a new national airline, Namibia Air, before the end of the year. Operating models are being reviewed by a technical team, including potential partnerships with companies such as Ethiopian Airlines. No launch date has yet been set.
Why a new airline could benefit Botswana and Namibia
Namibia’s national airline, Air Namibia, was liquidated by the country’s government in 2021 after accruing 3 billion Namibian dollars (over £135 million) in debt.
According to the Windhoek Observer, Namibia’s former finance minister, Ipumbu Shiimi, explained that the national airline’s financial position had been worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic and it had been unable to recover. Attempts to find partners, including Lufthansa, KLM, British Airways, Emirates and Qatar Airways, were unsuccessful.
Air Botswana, while still in operation, is also in trouble. In March, the airline cut three of its flight routes in an effort to negate ongoing financial losses. This included flights to destinations such as Durban and Cape Town. Reportedly, these routes incurred a loss of 44.5 million Botswanan Pula (about £2.3 million) for the airline over the course of a nine-month period.
It has not yet been confirmed exactly when the new airline is expected to launch.
Do you think this move will benefit Botswana and Namibia’s air travel industries? Let us know in the comments below!
