Namibia hopeful for new regional challenger

Nevertheless, Fly Etosha wants to be in a position to compete with Namibia’s current de facto national airline, FlyNamibia, sooner rather than later. Etosha is the name of a Namibian game park.

FlyNamibia apparently perceived the upstart as a threat, as it lodged a lengthy complaint about Fly Etosha in February with the country’s Transportation Commission, expressing concerns about the newcomer’s capabilities and finances.

“As Namibia’s first privately owned scheduled passenger airline, FlyNamibia’s chief concerns are directed towards quality services and, above all, passenger safety,” it said. “The application, as it currently stands, has raised serious concerns as to the planned airline’s ability to ensure the safety of passengers.

“FlyNamibia rejects any claims…that the airline has launched this objection to deter another airline from starting operations and thus discouraging competition.”

However, within days, a public backlash forced the de facto national carrier to withdraw its objections.

Ekandjo said in May that his new airline planned to start operations within months. However, his company does not yet have an air service licence or AOC.

In a series of interviews with Namibian media outlets Ekandjo outlined his plans to operate to several domestic destinations, as well as to South Africa and Zimbabwe. He told local publication Business Express that he did not regard his planned company as a rival to FlyNamibia, but as a way to grow the country’s aviation sector.

Business Express said that the start-up would “seek to invest” in a heterogenous fleet of 21 aircraft, ranging from Cessna Grand Caravans up to ATR 72s and Fokker 50s.

In television interviews, Ekandjo said that aircraft of the type required for regional services were readily available and could be bought or leased. He added that the planned airline could be raised without much difficulty and that the airline could begin international services two years after its first flight.