Allexer Namundjembo
The launch of Fly Etosha Airways, initially slated for last year, has encountered significant delays due to a combination of geopolitical tensions and financial challenges.
While the airline had been poised to fill the void left by the closure of Air Namibia, unforeseen global events and complex negotiations have pushed back its launch timeline.
In an interview with the Windhoek Observer, captain William Ekandjo, the founder of Fly Etosha Airways, said the beginning of last year saw promising developments, fuelling optimism for the airline’s imminent launch.
However, the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, coupled with ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, directly impacted the airline’s funding prospects.
Investors from these regions who had previously shown interest in the project became unavailable, leading to a stall in the entire process.
“We had prospective investors in those regions, but the war and conflicts created a situation where they were no longer available for the current period,” Ekandjo explained. “This caused a delay in the whole process.”
Despite these setbacks, Ekandjo assured that work on the airline is ongoing. “Even though there are delays in bringing the airline to life, we have been constantly at work, making adjustments here and there to ensure Fly Etosha takes to the skies,” he said.
The team is particularly aware of the increasing transportation challenges in the region, especially since the closure of Air Namibia.
With limited options for domestic and regional air travel, the need for a local carrier like Fly Etosha has become even more critical.
“Everyone has been affected transportation-wise since the closure of Air Namibia. As long as this kind of situation persists, we will work harder to bring joy to the stranded people in our region,” said Ekandjo.
However, one of the main hurdles that has delayed progress has been the complex negotiations surrounding the airline’s ownership structure.
Ekandjo noted that prospective investors have been cautious, partly due to political uncertainty following elections in both the United States and Namibia.
This uncertainty has further delayed the process.
“The biggest hurdle we have faced so far is the apportioning of shares to foreign investors and their contributions,” Ekandjo explained. “We are trying to avoid a situation where foreign investors gain a majority share, which could cause unforeseen problems for the company in the future.”
The concerns around foreign ownership are rooted in the desire to prevent a repeat of the post-Air Namibia era, where the absence of competition caused ticket prices to soar.
“From the closure of Air Namibia, you saw the increase in ticket prices to around three times what they used to be,” Ekandjo pointed out. “This is the situation we are trying to avoid by all means. We do not want to see the same thing happen with Fly Etosha.”
Ekandjo remains hopeful that the Namibian government will intervene to help ease some of the challenges the airline faces, particularly in resolving issues related to foreign investment. “We hope that the government will join in to reduce some of these complications,” he said.
As for the timeline of Fly Etosha’s official launch, Ekandjo could not provide a definitive date. “At this stage, we cannot tell. It could be quicker or slower, depending on how things unfold,” he said. “We will keep you up to date as events develop.”
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the airline’s launch, the commitment to making Fly Etosha a reality remains strong. Ekandjo and his team continue to navigate the obstacles in front of them, hoping to bring affordable, reliable air travel back to Namibia and the wider region.
“We will continue working hard to make this happen,” Ekandjo concluded. “Rest assured, we are not giving up.”
