AirlinePros congratulates our partner airlines Airlink and FlyNamibia for entering into a historic franchise agreement whereby both airlines gain exponentially in serving and enhancing their routes and customer experience. The South African-based independent airline, Airlink’s acquisition of a strategic equity stake in the privately-owned, Windhoek-based FlyNamibia will accelerate Airlink’s expansion strategy in Southern Africa and provide FlyNamibia the much needed expansion of efficient scheduled airline services to, from and within Namibia.
Through this venture, Airlink and FlyNamibia will support Namibia’s National Transport Policy vision by providing safe, reliable, effective, efficient and affordable air transport with world-class service levels. By enhancing productivity in economic sectors and developing complementary engines of growth, it is also aligned with the Economic Advancement objectives set out under Namibia’s Harambee Prosperity Plan II for 2021-2025.
The agreement will see FlyNamibia will adopt Airlink’s ‘4Z’ International Air Transport Association (IATA) 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.
“Namibia is unique, not only in its natural, mineral and human wealth, but its relatively small population relative to the size of its territory. With this in mind, we will be well-placed 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 while also providing convenient and easy access to other markets around the world,” said Airlink Chief Executive and Managing Director, Rodger Foster. “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.”
“Namibia’s economy is expanding and has the potential to grow rapidly with new offshore drilling and mining, the resurgence in tourism and its establishment as a pioneering producer of green hydrogen for the global energy market. To realise its full economic potential, Namibia will depend increasingly upon air connectivity to move people and goods between markets,” Andre Compion, FlyNamibia Managing Director said about the partnership. “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.”
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 a 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 optimise 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 FlyNamibia
FlyNamibia is an independent airline providing domestic and regional flights. It began scheduled passenger operations in June 2019 after it was granted carrier status by the Namibian Transport Commission. FlyNamibia is a division of Westair Aviation, which was established in 1967, initially as an aircraft maintenance facility, but which evolved into Namibia’s most experienced aviation company.
About Airlink
Airlink was established in 1992 and is an independent, privately-owned, premier airline. Choice and reliability are Airlink hallmarks and it serves over 45 destinations in 13 countries throughout Southern Africa, Madagascar* and St Helena Island. Airlink continues to be the most on-time domestic airline, with its growing fleet of more than 60 modern jetliners achieving a 95.14% average on-time performance in August 2022 and 96% for the year to date**. Airlink is an International Air Transport Association (IATA) member and accredited under its safety audit programme.
* Flights serving Madagascar will resume when the current flight restrictions are lifted.
**measured by the Airports Company South Africa.
For details and reservation: airlink@airlinepros.com
About AirlinePros
AirlinePros International is an award-winning leader and a trusted choice in Representation, Distribution, and Commercial Solutions for the aviation and tourism industry. With a collective experience of over half a millennium, we facilitate airlines access new markets and support their sales and distribution. Our expertise covers the entire spectrum of the industry to include besides airlines, airports, travel service providers, aviation regulatory bodies and associated industry facilitators like the IATA, ARC, ICAO, ACI, etc. Backed by a culture of integrity, passion, true dedication, and quality partnerships, we ensure the success of our over 60 – and counting – airline partners from more than 40 global offices.
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