FlyNamibia goes fully local

South African airline Southern African airline Airlink has relinquished its minority shareholding in Namibian carrier FlyNamibia as part of the airline’s push to become a fully Namibian-owned operation, although both companies say their commercial and operational partnership remains unchanged.

Airlink, southern Africa’s largest privately owned airline, gave up its stake about two years ago without receiving payment for the shares.

FlyNamibia managing director Nerine Uys said the franchise partnership with Airlink remained fully operational.

“There has been no change to our day-to-day operations or collaboration,” she said. “It is very much business as usual.”

Airlink said it hoped to replicate the franchise model in other markets across the southern African region.

The partnership between the two airlines was announced in September 2022, when Airlink acquired a minority stake in FlyNamibia while Namibian private investors retained majority ownership.

The arrangement expanded the route networks of both airlines, including services between Windhoek and Johannesburg, increased flight frequencies to Cape Town, and additional connections to other southern African destinations.

FlyNamibia, formerly known as FlyWestair, became the first private airline to receive scheduled passenger airline status in Namibia after rebranding.

The airline has operated since June 2019, serving domestic routes from Eros Airport in Windhoek to Ondangwa, Rundu, Katima Mulilo and Oranjemund, as well as a regional route between Hosea Kutako International Airport and Cape Town.