The Namibian government has confirmed it is holding ongoing "discussions with Ethiopian Airlines, as well as consultations with local aviation operators and other relevant stakeholders" on the establishment of the proposed new national carrier, Namibia Air, but stressed the talks remain "analytical" and that "no binding commitments have been entered into with any party at this stage".
In a statement, the Ministry of Works and Transport rejected as unauthorised an internal briefing document published by the Windhoek Observer newspaper, saying it did not recognise the document as an official or accurate reflection of the government's work, deliberations, or policy. The ministry said any suggestion that the document represented concluded government decisions or agreements was "misleading and without foundation".
The ministry said consultations with Ethiopian Airlines form part of a broader process to evaluate the most viable and sustainable model for launching Namibia Air, and the government is considering various forms of technical and strategic cooperation while ensuring Namibian expertise and national interests remain central to any future arrangement. Any decisions will be based on technical, financial, and commercial assessments and will follow the required approval processes.
The statement said the consultations were intended to avoid the mistakes that led to the collapse of former flag carrier Air Namibia and to establish a financially sustainable and commercially viable successor. The ministry added that it would provide official updates as decisions are finalised.
Ethiopian's alleged proposal
The ministry's response followed the publication of what the Windhoek Observer described as an internal briefing on meetings held in Addis Ababa International on August 21 and 22, 2026, between a Namibian delegation and Ethiopian Airlines.
According to the newspaper, Ethiopian Airlines proposed an ATR72-600-based operating model, together with technical assistance, training, maintenance support, aircraft sourcing assistance, and a possible management contract to help establish Namibia Air.
The report also said Ethiopian Airlines was not prepared to commit to an equity investment at this stage, citing the need for a commercially viable business plan and indicating that any future equity partnership would require management control, including key executive positions.
Ethiopian Airlines currently leases two ATR72-600s for its 49%-owned subsidiary Air Congo in the Democratic Republic of Congo (RDC).
The airline already operates several joint ventures in Africa, including ASKY Airlines in Togo, Air Congo, Malawian Airlines, and Zambia Airways. The short-lived Ethiopian Mozambique Airlines ceased operations in 2021 after the COVID-19 pandemic severely reduced domestic demand. Nigeria Air (Lagos), a failed joint venture with the Nigerian federal government, was abandoned in 2023, while talks with governments in South Africa and Ghana never progressed further.
Gazetted E145 plans
Namibia Air reached a key regulatory milestone in August 2026 after receiving scheduled and non-scheduled air service licences from Namibia's Transportation Commission, clearing the way to acquire aircraft ahead of a planned commercial launch in December 2026.
According to a notice published in the Government Gazette on July 8, the start-up intends to operate both scheduled and charter flights across Namibia and internationally, using a fleet of four E145s and three E170s or E175s.
Before commencing operations, however, the carrier must still obtain an air operator's certificate (AOC), with the transport ministry targeting completion of the certification process within 90 days.
Namibian charter and ACMI specialist Westair Aviation, which owns Namibia's only private scheduled brand FlyNamibia, operates a fleet of seven E145s and two former Air Namibia E135s, according to ch-aviation data.
