Allexer Namundjembo
Swiss carrier Edelweiss has launched non-stop flights between Zurich and Windhoek, starting with two weekly services and adding a third frequency in July to meet rising demand.
The inaugural flight landed at Hosea Kutako International Airport on Monday at around 19h30 with 285 passengers on board, according to the Namibia Airports Company (NAC). The return flight to Zurich departed later that evening with 261 passengers.
Edelweiss marked the start of what it called “a special new chapter” with a cake ceremony and ribbon-cutting at Zurich Airport. The airline said it will operate the route using its new Airbus A350.
“From now on we fly nonstop from Zurich to the capital Windhoek,” the airline stated on social media.
The carrier stated it is betting on Namibia’s tourism appeal, citing “endless desert landscapes, fascinating safari experiences and a starlit sky that is among the most impressive in the world.”
Edelweiss will fly the Zurich–Windhoek route on Mondays and Fridays. A third weekly frequency on Wednesdays will begin on 15 July 2026, the NAC confirmed.
NAC chief executive officer and Air Connect Namibia chairperson Bisey /Uirab described the expansion as “a strong vote of confidence” in the country and the route’s long-term potential.
With the addition, the Lufthansa Group, which includes Edelweiss and Discover Airlines, will operate 13 direct weekly flights between its European hubs and Windhoek, providing more than 152,000 annual seats.
“The group will contribute more than 152,000 annual seats, further strengthening Namibia’s position as a key access point to European markets,” the NAC said.
The extra flights are timed to coincide with the peak tourism season from July to October, serving key tourist destinations including Etosha National Park, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund and the Skeleton Coast.
Switzerland remained one of Namibia’s key European markets in 2025, with about 24,200 two-way passengers recorded, according to NAC data.
Namibia’s international connections have expanded in recent years. The number of direct or non-stop international destinations is projected to rise from 10 in 2023 to 17 by mid-2026.
Affirmative Repositioning Member of Parliament Vaino Hangula welcomed the additional flight, calling it a vote of confidence in Namibia as a tourism destination.
“We must position ourselves to derive real lasting economic value from this opportunity, which is to convert more tourist arrivals into local jobs, regional economic activity and stronger investment interest in Namibia,” Hangula said.
Air Connect Namibia, established in 2024, is a joint initiative led by the Namibia Airports Company and industry partners to expand air routes and strengthen international connections.
