Air Namibia seeks Ethiopian expertise

THE NAMIBIAN government is negotiating with Ethiopian Airlines to take over the management of cash-strapped national carrier Air Namibia. The country’s Trade and Industry Minister Jesaya Nyamu held discussions with Ethiopian government officials and the country’s chamber of commerce and industry while in Ethiopia last month to attend the African Union summit. In a statement to the local Addis Tribune, Nyamu said the approach to Ethiopian Airlines was aimed at establishing a reliable and efficient airline industry in Namibia. Under its current management, Air Namibia was incapable of running the industry, he said. A reliable FTW source has also stated that should any such venture go through, Air Namibia’s cargo operations are likely to be outsourced and turned over to a private sector operator.