The partnership between FlyNamibia and Airlink

We answer your questions

FlyNamibia announced our new partnership with southern Africa’s largest private airline, Airlink in September 2022. This new partnership is an incredible opportunity for our airline to expand its reach and will be a wonderful vehicle of growth for us as a proudly Namibian company.

This new partnership with Airlink will allow us to broaden our horizons even further. Through operational collaboration, FlyNamibia and Airlink will be servicing more regional routes, with new routes to be added to southern African destinations.

You had some questions, so we’ve tried to answer them:

Will Airlink absorb FlyNamibia?

No. Each airline will retain its own identity and operate and market flights independently from one another. Collaboration will take place mainly in an administrative way. The investment is underpinned by a commercial franchise agreement under which FlyNamibia will adopt Airlink’s “4Z” International Air Transport Association (IATA) designator for its ticket sales and scheduled flights, while retaining its unique corporate identity, brand and aircraft livery.

How will this collaboration benefit FlyNamibia?

First and foremost is the fact that FlyNamibia, through the partnership, can now be listed on the GDS (Global Distribution System). This will see FlyNamibia’s inventory attaining higher visibility and being promoted on Airlink’s computerised reservation system and on those of major foreign airlines which have partnered with Airlink, all around the world.

Practical solutions to operational issues will be attained by tapping into Airlinks systems and economies of scale to increase productivity and service delivery.

When will changes relating to the partnership take effect?

The changes will come into effect as soon as practicable, after which all existing bookings for FlyNamibia flights will be amended at no cost or inconvenience to customers.

What was the motivation for the investment and partnership?

FlyNamibia, as a relatively new, small and privately funded airline will hugely benefit from the alignment with Africa’s largest privately owned airline, Airlink. By having Airlink as partner FlyNamibia will be able to tap into all the resources offered by Airlink, thereby enabling expansion and growth at a rate that would be difficult to achieve independently.

What does the ownership structure look like?

FlyNamibia is still majority-owned by Namibian private investors, including its founder Westair Aviation, with Airlink owning a minority of 40% of shares.

Partners and yet competition?

As each airline still operates independently they continue to be competitors. Competition is good for customers. We are well aware of such concerns and have implemented extensive measures to ensure that no form of collusion, price-fixing or anti-competitive measures will be allowed. Customers will however benefit through more frequencies and optimal scheduling whilst each airline will have to remain competitively priced in order to attract passengers. It should also be noted that neither Airlink or FlyNamibia has the monopoly on any route and entrance of other carriers on the routes that the two airlines currently serve is inevitable.

Our priorities at FlyNamibia are firmly focused on creating the best possible experience for our customers and having a positive impact on our country. This new partnership, and the tremendous growth and potential that will stem from it, will certainly support these goals. Our ethos is based on the concept of Ubuntu. One of the philosophies within this school of thought is that “if you want to go far, go together.”

We are proud to partner with a fellow private African airline and we are sure that together we will go very far. We’re excited to take you with us.