Westair Aviation Limitedis aNamibianaviation service provider[3]and airline offering scheduled passenger services under theFlyNamibiabrand as well as cargo andAircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance(ACMI) services[4][5]based atEros AirportinWindhoek.
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| Founded | 1967 Windhoek,Namibia | ||||||
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| Commenced operations | 1967 | ||||||
| Hubs | |||||||
| Frequent-flyer program | Frequent Flyer[1] | ||||||
| Fleet size | 30 | ||||||
| Destinations | 10 | ||||||
| Headquarters | Windhoek,Namibia | ||||||
| Key people | Henry van Schalkwyk (CEO)[2] | ||||||
| Employees | 280 (March 2020)[2] | ||||||
| Website | westair | ||||||
History
editIn 1967, Westair Aviation began as an aircraft maintenance facility and has since became a passenger and freight aviation company.[6]The airline has become a provider of ad-hoc as well as air chartered services in Namibia, providing long-term lease and aircraft maintenance services.[7]The airline also operates a variety of scheduled and unscheduled air cargo flights and has been offering a dedicated cargo service toDHLover the past 20 years.
In June 2005, Stimulus Investment Limited, a local Namibian investment company, acquired 29% of the total issued ordinary share of Westair Aviation, with the airline's management retaining 71% of the ordinary shares. Stimulus sold the shares back to Westair management in 2014 and is no longer a shareholder in Westair.[8][9]
In November 2015, Westair Aviation acquired anEmbraer ERJ-145fromLOT Polish Airlines.Named 'Tatekulu', this twinjet 50-seater was the first addition to the airlines' specialist fleet.[10][11]
As of April 2018, the airline planned to expand its passenger route network to five scheduled destinations and six airports in two different countries inSouthern Africa.[5]In June 2019, the airline was granted designated carrier status by the Namibian Transport Commission. Scheduled local flights commenced on June 24, 2019, from its base atEros Airportunder the newly established brand nameFlyWestair.[12][13]FlyWestair rebranded asFlyNamibiaon 2 November 2021.[14][15]In September 2019, the airline revealed plans to commence its first international destination by starting flights from Eros Airport toCape Town.In September 2022,Airlinka South African carrier based in Johannesburg, acquired a 40% equity share in FlyNamibia. The latter plans expansion to Ghana, Malawi, the DRC and Kenya after the demise of the Namibian flag-carrierAir Namibiain 2021.[16]A franchise agreement between Airlink and FlyNamibia was announced in August 2023. Starting 28 August 2023, all FlyNamibia Embraer scheduled flights have operated under Airlink's 4Z code.[17]
In 2020, Westair has invested in SenegaleseArc en Ciel Airlines.
In March 2023, Westair Aviation has created a joint venture with France basedAvico Groupto take a controlling equity interest in Italian helicopter operator Weststar NDD, renamed later asWestair Helicopters.[18]This airline is flying 14 helicopters,LeonardoAW189,AW139,AW169.
In September 2023, FlyNamibia has joined theInternational Air Transport Association(IATA).[19]
Routes
editAs of 2021[update],Westair Aviation services the following international routes:
As of 2022[update],FlyNamibia services the following domestic routes:
| From | To |
|---|---|
| Windhoek-Eros | Katima Mulilo[22] |
| Windhoek-Eros | Lüderitz[24] |
| Windhoek-Eros | Ondangwa[22] |
| Windhoek-Eros | Rundu[22] |
Fleet
edit
Westair Aviation's current fleet consist of over 30 aircraft. The aircraft suit relevant operations such as freight-transporting, crew rotations for mining operations and offering VIP charters to The Namibian government.[6][25]Westair Aviation's fleet comprisesEmbraer,Beechcraft,PiperandCessnaaircraft with theEmbraer ERJ-145being their largest.[26]
FlyNamibia Safari routes are serviced by aReims-Cessna F406 Caravan II.
References
edit- ^"FlyWestair".
- ^ab"Namibia: Westair Retrenches Amid Virus Outbreak".26 March 2020.
- ^"Westair - About Us".
- ^"WESTAIR - HOME".westair.com.na.Retrieved8 March2018.
- ^abLiu, Jim (6 March 2018)."Westair Aviation outlines preliminary scheduled service from April 2018".routesonline.com.Archived fromthe originalon 4 October 2021.
- ^ab"WESTAIR - SPECIALIZED SERVICES".westair.com.na.Retrieved8 March2018.
- ^"Westair Aviation Airline Profile | CAPA".
- ^"BEE investment in Westair".Archived fromthe originalon 16 March 2018.Retrieved15 March2018.
- ^"Westair Aviation | NCE".n-c-e.org.
- ^"Namibia's Westair Aviation adds maiden Embraer jet".Ch-Aviation.
- ^"Flight Schedule | Flyairlink".
- ^"Westair Aviation launches" FlyWestair "as official Scheduled Passenger Airline"(PDF).Retrieved28 October2023.
- ^"Westair Aviation launches scheduled passenger airline - FlyWestair".11 June 2019.
- ^"FlyWestair rebrands as FlyNamibia".
- ^"FlyNamibia Fleet Details and History".30 October 2023.
- ^"FlyNamibia details African regional growth plans".
- ^"FlyNamibia set to transition into an Airlink franchisee".
- ^"Weststar partners with AVICO Group and Westair Aviation to expand Weststar NDD'S reach across Europe and Africa".Vertical Mag.Retrieved17 March2024.
- ^"Facebook".www.facebook.com.
- ^"Schedule - FlyNamibia".3 December 2016.
- ^"FlyNamibia links Walvis Bay with Windhoek and SA".Freight News.22 September 2023.
- ^abcd"Local private airline, Westair Aviation rebrands from FlyWestair to FlyNamibia".Namibia Economist.2 November 2021.
- ^"Fly Namibia to start operating the Windhoek – Victoria Falls route next year – Windhoek Observer".22 November 2023.
- ^"FlyNamibia".www.flynamibia.com.na.
- ^"Namibia's Westair Aviation acquires four ERJ-135s from HOP!".ch-aviation.com.Retrieved8 March2018.
- ^westair.com.na - Fleetretrieved 11 February 2021
External links
edit- Official website of Westair Aviation
- Official website of FlyWestairArchived21 October 2021 at theWayback Machine
