In line with the mandate and mission of the Namibia Airports Company (NAC) to ensure enhanced connectivity to Namibia, the Air Connect Namibia project has been initiated.
The purpose of the Project is to increase direct air access in and out of Namibia to the rest of the world, particularly via its international airports, with an initial focus on Hosea Kutako International Airport.
The Project aims to improve the country’s competitiveness and support growth sectors, making it a stronger tourism and business location for foreign direct investment, stimulating economic growth and job creation. It aims to do this by increasing direct air access between the region and international markets through the establishment of new international routes at the airport.
To achieve this, NAC has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with various parties including City of Windhoek, Gondwana Collection, Namibia Tourism Board, Walvis Bay Corridor Group, Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board.
The Project has been derived from the Namibia Aviation and Connectivity Forum held in 2022. The Forum was held to re-imagine the Namibian Aviation sector as one that contributes to the country’s economic development and growth. Air Service Development was identified as one of the topics identified by the Forum as playing a significant role in development and re-imagining of the sector.
“Target markets and carriers were identified in 2022, with initial carrier engagements taking place at Routes World 2022. This was followed-up by the NAC partaking in a European Carrier Tour where carriers were engaged with at their operation headquarters. During Routes World 2022, data-led business cases were developed for engagement with carriers to service the United Arab Emirates, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Qatar, Ethiopia and Turkey.
“The Parties have all recognized the need for a coordinated approach when implementing the Project and to this end have committed themselves to concluding this MOU as a written embodiment of their commitment to the Project,” NAC CEO Bisey Uirab said at the signing ceremony.
As NAC, Uirab added, we deem it necessary to bring these parties together in the interest of creating prosperity in our aviation and tourism markets, and sharing the achievements of development in our cooperation.
“This agreement looks at continuous cooperation and collaboration between the parties as a necessity to maintain and develop a compatible and efficient air transport system and reciprocal destinations experience for the passengers, for both leisure and business,” he said.