A new and emerging Namibian airline, Fly Etosha Airways is set to start flying around mid-year, its founder and Accountable Manager, William Ekandjo said exclusively told Business Express.
In an interview, Ekandjo expressed that the aviation industry requires certain processes to be done and regulation met before an airline takes to the skies and this is what Fly Etosha Airways will be doing in the coming three to four months.
He also affirmed that if all things remain equal, the airline will start with both local and regional flights housing at least four aeroplanes.
“The aviation sector has long and critical processes that we are going through. For example, one needs an air service license and that takes time to process and get approval. You would also need an Air Operators Certificate (AOC) which again takes time. We are in the process and we are sure that in the next three month we will be all set to take the skies,” Ekandjo told Business Express.
In the works is a Board and possibly shared ownership with employees in a share system, Ekandjo hinted.
He also highlighted that the airline looks to invest massively as the sector require key investments.
“We are looking to invest because as you are aware, there are a lot of resources that are required for this industry,” he said.
According to a government gazette announcing the application for the Grant of a Scheduled Air Services License in terms of the Air Services Act, 1949 (Act No. 51 of 1949) as amended, Fly Etosha will in future seek to invest in three Cessna Grand Caravan (US$ 2.0 million), three Beech 1900 (US$ 3.0 million), three King Air 350 (US$ 4.0 million), three ATR 42 (US 3.7 million), two ATR – 72 (US$ 9.0 million), three DASH (US$ 3.9 million), two DASH 8 Q 400 (US$ 9.0 million) and two F-50 (US$ 3.0 million).
“Our airline will be beneficial to everyone including our competitors because sufficient air service can only grow the industry. We should be able as a country to provide adequate and competitive air transport for Namibians and others.
“With others who may appear as competition, we may even join hands to fight the high regulatory and market entry cost so that if those reduce, the charged passed on to clients can be far less making flying affordable and growing the industry. We are looking forward to working well with all stakeholders,” Ekandjo said.
The route or routes and towns to be served are Windhoek, Ondangwa, Katima Mulilo, Walvis Bay, Lüderitz, Rundu, Oranjemund, Victoria Falls, Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Speaking to Business Express this week, the Namibia Travel and Tourism Forum welcomed a new airline as one that will increase competitiveness in the regional and domestic market.
The Forum expressed that it’s priorities for the new airline would be new local routes, cheaper pricing, bigger aeroplanes, more involvement with local tourism companies and more regional connectivity.
“The industry is very happy that a new airline is on the horizon to increase connectivity that benefits tourism. We would like to work with the airline to help in suggesting new routes that are currently not available such as Luderitz and Orangemund. Perhaps they can also avail cheaper flights for key routes such as Walvisbay for tourists to boost our industry,” the forum said.