Southern Africa: Airlink Targets Bigger Share of Southern Africa Flyers With FlyNamibia Stake

The independent South African-based airline, Airlink, is acquiring a 40 per cent strategic equity holding in privately-owned Windhoek-based FlyNamibia.

FlyNamibia is the scheduled airline division of Westair Aviation established in 1967 initially as an aircraft maintenance facility, but which evolved into Namibia’s most experienced aviation company. It began scheduled passenger operations in June 2019 after the Namibian Transport Commission granted it carrier status.

• Airlink buys 40 per cent of FlyNamibia, Namibia’s only operating scheduled domestic airline, under a deal announced at the end of September that aims to expand air service both within and outside the Southern Africa country.
• The acquisition will bring the two carriers closer together with all FlyNamibia flights transitioning to using Airlink’s IATA code ‘4Z’ in an effort to boost sales and improve international connectivity.

The acquisition is for an undisclosed amount in a strategic equity partnership punted to fill the short- and medium-haul regional market gap left by the collapse of Air Namibia. This is also expected to accelerate Namibia’s post-pandemic recovery and drive the expansion of efficient scheduled airline services to, from and within Namibia.

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

Commenting on the development Airlink Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Rodger Foster said Airlink…