
FlyNamibia and its affiliate, Westair Aviation, have raised their objections to the transportation committee of the Namibian Ministry of Works and Transport through documents that outline their opposition to the application of a scheduled air transport service licence filed by Aupapa Ekandjo for a proposed airline to be called Fly Etosha.
The opposition to the licence is based on the grounds of lack of financial resources, aircraft, maintenance facilities, ground handling services, insurance coverage, personnel, and safety of the passengers.
“As an airline, the merit of our objection to this application is based solely on our concerns about the rendering of safe, satisfactory, and reliable service,” FlyNamibia says.
FlyNamibia says that safety is the most important concern for an airline because the lives of passengers and crew are at stake.
It stamped out that air travel involves complex systems and processes that require rigorous attention to detail and adherence to regulations to ensure safe operations.
“Safety is the foundation of the airline industry’s reputation and success,” stated FlyNamibia.
According to FlyNamibia, the application as it stands has raised serious concerns as to the planned airline’s ability to ensure the safety of passengers.
“An unreliable airline with serious safety concerns could negatively affect the entire Namibian aviation industry and create a negative public perception of the reliability and safety of all airlines and aircraft operators currently operating within Namibia,” according to FlyNamibia.
FlyNamibia rejects any claims made by members of the public that the airline has filed this objection in order to discourage competition and deter other airlines from starting operations.
“FlyNamibia and its shareholders are in the business of aviation, and as business operators, we are well aware of the positive impact competition has on good business practices,” says FlyNamibia.
Competition, according to FlyNamibia, is essential for good businesses because it drives innovation, encourages businesses to improve their products and services, and promotes efficiency.
“Competition forces businesses to stay focused on their customers, continuously improving their offerings, and lowering their prices. The competition also fosters a healthy market environment that benefits both businesses and consumers.”
FlyNamibia further adds that it currently competes directly with several airlines, and they foresee and welcome more competition on the horizon with the imminent arrival of other regional airlines.
FlyNamibia has been operational since June 2019, expanding its network of flights to include domestic routes from Eros Airport in Windhoek to Ondangwa, Rundu, Katima Mulilo, Oranjemund, and now Walvis Bay, as well as a regional route from the Hosea Kutako International Airport to Cape Town.
FlyNamibia, with its ethos based on the concept of Ubuntu, which is celebrated across the African continent, aims to be a beacon that connects Namibia as a community with the rest of the world and helps bring the world to Namibia so that they can showcase how unique and truly special they are as a destination.
FlyNamibia remains firmly committed to supporting the Namibia nation and its people and endeavours to be an airline the country can be proud of.