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Hosea Kutako International Airport

(Redirected fromWindhoek Airport)
This article is about Windhoek's primary international airport. For the smaller domestic airport, seeEros Airport.

Hosea Kutako International Airport(also known asHKIA) (IATA:WDH,ICAO:FYWH) is the maininternational airportofNamibia,serving the capital cityWindhoek.Located 45 km (28 mi) to the east of the city, it is Namibia's largest airport with international connections. From its founding in 1965 to the independence of Namibia in 1990, it was namedJ.G. StrijdomAirport. In 1990 the airport was renamed, in honor of Namibian national heroHosea Kutako.

Hosea Kutako International Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic
OperatorNamibia Airports Company
HubforFlyNamibia
ElevationAMSL5,640 ft / 1,719 m
Coordinates22°29′12″S017°27′45″E/ 22.48667°S 17.46250°E/-22.48667; 17.46250
Websiteairports.com.na
Map
WDH is located in Namibia
WDH
WDH
Location within Namibia
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
08/26 4,532 14,869 Asphalt
16/34 1,524 5,000 Asphalt
Statistics (2023)
PassengersIncrease863,872
Reference:[1][2][3][4]
Aerial photograph of Hosea Kutako International Airport.

History

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The airport was opened in 1965(59 years ago)(1965)during the era ofSouth African administration,and was then namedJ.G. StrijdomAirport, after theNationalistPrime Minister of South Africa.[5]It was renamed Hosea Kutako International Airport following independence in 1990.[6]

After Namibian Independence in March 1990,[7]the French airline,UTA(Union de Transports Aériens) included operations fromParis–Charles de Gaulleto Windhoek via Johannesburg and Gaborone.[8]Hosea Kutako International Airport was the main hub forAir Namibia.Until recently, the absence of limited, direct international flights to Windhoek has forced passengers to fly via Johannesburg'sOR Tambo International Airport,orCape Town International Airport,resulting in additional transit visa costs, visa processing time taken by respective embassies and longer travel time.[9]There are around 46[10][11][12][13][14]direct flights weekly between Hosea Kutako International Airport and O. R. Tambo International Airport.Menzies Aviation,an international company registered in the UK,[15]was awarded the ground handling service operations at Hosea Kutako International Airport in November 2013.[16]However, they were evicted in August 2023 due to a long-standing legal battle with theNamibia Airports Company.[citation needed]Paragon commenced ground handling services in replacement shortly after.[17]Condor Airlinesintroduced flights between Frankfurt and Windhoek since November 2014.[18]Since 2016,Qatar Airways,KLM Royal Dutch AirlinesandEthiopian Airlineshave started flying to Windhoek. Qatar Airways suspended operations to Windhoek in October, 2023.[19]Eurowings,the low-cost subsidiary ofLufthansa,commenced a bi-weekly service fromCologne/Bonnin July 2017. However, in a bid to streamline its long haul operation for the 2019-season, the airline has decided to end both the Cologne/Bonn and Munich routes to Windhoek.[20][21]In recent schedule updates however,Eurowings Discoverintroduced daily flights to the Namibian capital since July 2022, as well as daily doubles 3 times weekly including flights to and from Victoria Falls.[22]As of October 2017, around 315 flights depart and land at HKIA weekly.[23]In August 2017 Air Namibia was granted5th freedom rightsto operate cargo and traffic between Windhoek,Lagos,Nigeria andAccra,Ghana.[24]These destinations were cancelled by the airline in May, 2019.[25]Westair Aviationhas commenced scheduled flights April 1, 2018 fromWindhoek-Eros.[26]In March 2018,Ethiopian Airlinesintroduced Africa's firstBoeing 787-9 Dreamlinerto Namibia.[27][28]Due to flight performance and headwinds,Airlinkin March 2019 has decided to re-direct its technical fuel-stop in Windhoek toWalvis Bay Airport,a move which would accommodate more passengers on the final leg toSaint Helena Airport.[29] FlyWestair,a subsidiary of privately ownedWestair Aviationintroduced scheduled passenger flights between Windhoek and Cape Town from early March 2022.[30]

Apron view

In December 2017 Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA), Namibia's flagship airport, hosted officials from the Airport Council International (ACI) APEX partners from the Dublin Airport Authority, Airports Company South Africa, Office National des Aéroports of Morocco, Ghana Airports Company and Airports of Mauritius Company, aiming to establish commitment and ultimately confirm a declaration of ACI APEX Safety Peer-review Programme with theNamibia Airports Company(NAC).[31]

On 10 January 2018, theNamibian Civil Aviation Authoritylaunched the implementation of Africa's first centralised aeronautical database. This technology (Africa-Aeronautical Database or A-CAD), will allow flight planners the option of operating at the press of a button by using various mobile devices and follows the requirements of theInternational Civil Aviation Organization(ICAO).[32]Kenya Airwaysin May 2021 signed an interline agreement with South African airline,Airlink,to connect passengers from Nairobi via Johannesburg and Cape Town to Windhoek.[33]

The airport handled 1,681 336 passengers in 2019.[34]

Although Hosea Kutako International Airport is the main airport for international flights to and from Namibia, few domestic flights originate at Hosea Kutako International Airport as those are predominantly handled at the smaller WindhoekEros Airport,about 4,7 km (2,92 mi) south of Windhoek's central business district.[35]In September 2019,UPS Airlinesannounced that the company is adding Namibia to its global air-cargo network.[36]

The airport is operated byNamibia Airports Company.

On 11 February 2021,Air Namibiawhich maintained its home base and hub at the airport, ceased all operations.

In November 2021, Westair Namibia, the parent company of FlyWestair, rebranded to FlyNamibia.[37]

In October 2023Turkish Airlinesadded Windhoek to their list of future African destinations.[38]South African Airwaysresumed its post-Covid operation between Johannesburg and Windhoek with daily doubles in December 2022.[39]The airline plans to add thrice daily flights to increase capacity between Windhoek and Johannesburg as of October 2024.[40]In late 2024Air Botswanawidens its regional capacity with flights to Windhoek from three of its main centers, Gaborone, Maun and Kasane.[41]

Facilities

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Check-in area

Though there are few services available near the field, the Sungate Namibia Business Park is being constructed just outside the airport, which will include car rental facilities, airline catering, a truck stop andbureau de change.[42]Improvements to the terminal building have been the recently refurbished duty free restaurant, TAX refund facilities and public (short and long term)[43]parking area.[44]In February 2014, Namibia Airports Company acquired 11 Merce Rhino fire vehicles, of which 2 are assigned to Hosea Kutako Airport, (a Category 9 airport).[43]This accruement exceed the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) safety standards.[45]Free WiFi is available at the duty free restaurant.[46][47]

The 214 square meters "Amushe" -business lounge was opened in September 2016, comfortably accommodating 55 passengers at a time.[48]

Expansion

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Apron view with aEurowings Discoveraircraft
Hosea Kutako International Airport apron, August 2017

The Namibia Airports Company (NAC) is in the planning stages of constructing a new airport complete with aerodrome classification of category 4F (of the International Aviation Organization (ICAO) Aerodrome Reference Code in terms of Annex 14 of ICAO). This new development would render the airport to accommodate multiple wide-bodied code F aircraft. This project would require a new runway, including taxiways/ aprons. The NAC envisages a newly constructed terminal building that would include separate VIP check-in/ ancillary facilities. A new traffic control tower and fire station would complete the project.[49] In November 2017, the Namibian Government and the Vice Minister of China, Qian Keming, signed an economic and technical cooperation agreement, which will see China offer around 30 million U.S. dollars for part of the N$900m/78 km dual carriageway between the airport and Windhoek.[50][51]In May 2018 a spokesperson forNamibia Airports Companyannounced that the arrivals- and check-in hall, the luggage handling area, the security screening point will be temporarily improved. With airport traffic increasing, the need for a new terminal, runway and apron has been prioritised.[52]In September 2019, a local building contractor, Nexus Building Contractor, initiated the Congestion Alleviation project. This N$250 million project targets to double the handling capacity to accommodate increased passenger numbers up until 2030. The project also includes the construction of a new arrival hall, expansion of the current departure hall, and increasing the security screening points.[53]

Airlines and destinations

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The following airlines operate regular scheduled services at the airport:

Passenger

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AirlinesDestinations
Air BotswanaGaborone,[54]Kasane,[54]Maun[54]
AirlinkCape Town,Johannesburg–O. R. Tambo[55]
Discover AirlinesFrankfurt,1[21]Munich(begins 1 April 2025)[56]
Seasonal:Victoria Falls[21][57]
Ethiopian AirlinesAddis Ababa
FlyNamibiaCape Town,Victoria Falls,[55]Walvis Bay[58]
Seasonal:Katima Mulilo,[59]Maun[60]
FlyNamibia SafariEtosha,[61]Mokuti Lodge,[61]Swakopmund,[61]Sossusvlei,[62][63]Twyfelfontein[61]
FlySafairCape Town[64]
South African AirwaysJohannesburg–O. R. Tambo[65]
TAAG Angola AirlinesLuanda

^1Some Discover Airlines flights operate between Windhoek and Victoria Falls. The airline hasfull traffic rightsto transport passengers between Windhoek and Victoria Falls.

Cargo

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AirlinesDestinations
Airlink Cargo[66]Johannesburg–O. R. Tambo
BidAir Cargo[67]Johannesburg–O. R. Tambo
Ethiopian Cargo[68]Addis Ababa
Lufthansa Cargo[69]Frankfurt

Statistics

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Annual passenger traffic at WDH airport. SeeWikidata query.

Ground transportation

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The airport operates shuttle services into Windhoek.[70]

See also

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References

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  1. ^"Tourist Statistical Report"(PDF).Republic of Namibia, Ministry of Environment and Tourism. 2016. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 31 January 2018.Retrieved11 February2018.
  2. ^"Namibia Tourist Statistical Report 2022"(PDF).www.meft.gov.na.
  3. ^"Namibia: MEFT-Tourist Statistical Report 2022 new design"(PDF).meft.gov.na.21 August 2023.Retrieved15 May2024.
  4. ^travelandtourworld.com.24 July 2024https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/namibia-is-surging-the-tourism-industry-with-new-visa-free-travel-policy-for-53-countries-including-brazil-uk-and-schengen-nations/22-July-2024.Retrieved24 July2024.{{cite web}}:Missing or empty|title=(help),
  5. ^Standard encyclopaedia of Southern Africa.Vol. 10. NASOU. 174. p. 202.ISBN9780625003266.
  6. ^Giorgio Miescher; Lorena Rizzo; Jeremy Silvester (2009).Posters in Action: Visuality in the Making of an African Nation.Basler Afrika Bibliographien. p. 133.ISBN9783905758092.
  7. ^"History of Namibia | Colonialism, German Colonialism, Independence, & Facts | Britannica".
  8. ^"UTA Destinations 1989".
  9. ^"UAE investors want direct flights to Namibia".The Namibian. Archived fromthe originalon 3 October 2015.Retrieved29 December2014.
  10. ^"Live Flight Tracker - Real-Time Flight Tracker Map".Flightradar24.
  11. ^"Real Time Flight Status at Windhoek (WDH Airport)".FlightStats.com.Retrieved11 October2011.
  12. ^"Air Namibia Time Table"(PDF).Air Namibia. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 6 April 2013.Retrieved11 October2011.
  13. ^"Emirates Introduces Airbus to Southern Africa".All Africa News.Retrieved6 June2011.
  14. ^"Ethiopian Airlines and SAA expands codeshare partnership for Windhoek".An Africa Business Community – Africa Travel – Tourism. Archived fromthe originalon 25 April 2012.Retrieved9 September2010.
  15. ^© Menzies Aviation plc. Company Number: 02961404. Registered Office: 2 World Business Centre Heathrow, Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport, Hounslow, TW6 2SF.
  16. ^"Menzies Wins Ground Handling License In Namibia".www.AviationPros.com.November 2013.
  17. ^"Namibia Airports Company - Paragon Aviation commences ground-handling at HKIA".www.airports.com.na.Retrieved21 August2023.
  18. ^"Condor launches Windhoek-Frankfurt flights".News24.13 February 2014.
  19. ^https://www.instagram.com/thebrieflive/p/CyS4K6Gs0Et/
  20. ^"Route network - Discover - Eurowings".www.eurowings.com.Archived fromthe originalon 30 June 2020.Retrieved26 January2019.
  21. ^abc"Eurowings outlines new S18 long-haul routes".Routesonline.Retrieved21 August2018.
  22. ^https://www.eurowings.com/en/information/destinations-routes.html[bare URL]
  23. ^"South African Airways SA 8131 Flight Tracker".FlightGlobal.Retrieved12 October2017.
  24. ^"Lagos, Accra on Air Nam radar - Local News".Namibian Sun. 23 August 2017.Retrieved13 September2017.
  25. ^"Air Namibia cancels Lagos / Accra service from late-May 2019".Routesonline.
  26. ^"Airlineroute:: Routesonline".www.routesonline.com.Retrieved21 August2018.
  27. ^"Flightradar24.com - Live flight tracker!".Flightradar24.Retrieved21 August2018.
  28. ^"Press Release Details - Ethiopian Airlines".www.ethiopianairlines.com.Retrieved21 August2018.
  29. ^"Airlink Announces Johannesburg to St. Helena Service Update".5 March 2019.
  30. ^"Westair Aviation - As of March, Flynamibia will be flying between Windhoek Int. and Cape Town 6 days a week! Have you made your 2022 travel plans yet? Visit the website to book your flight tickets: www.flynamibia.com.na #flynamibia #travel #capetown #airline #aviation #aviationdaily #aviationlovers | Facebook".www.facebook.com.
  31. ^"Namibia Airports Company prepares for 2018 security audit | New Era Newspaper Namibia".Newera.com.na. 18 December 2017.Retrieved26 January2018.[permanent dead link‍]
  32. ^"No more manual flight plan filing".The Namibian. Archived fromthe originalon 14 January 2018.Retrieved26 January2018.
  33. ^"Namibia: Kenya Airways Connects to Windhoek Through Interline Agreement with Airlink".New Era.10 May 2021.
  34. ^"Namibia sees almost double-digit growth".23 August 2023.
  35. ^"Distance Between Windhoek Windhoek Namibia and Eros Airport (ERS) Namibia".disween.com.Archived fromthe originalon 3 August 2018.Retrieved21 August2018.
  36. ^"UPS expands express services ahead of Expo 2020".www.stattimes.com.Archived fromthe originalon 27 September 2019.Retrieved26 September2019.
  37. ^"FlyWestair rebrands as FlyNamibia".
  38. ^"Turkish Airlines to offer passenger flights to Namibia soon".
  39. ^"South African Airways (SAA) introduces new routes just in time for the festive season. | News | Breaking Travel News".
  40. ^https://www.observer24.com.na/saa-adds-more-flights-between-johannesburg-and-windhoek/
  41. ^https://airbotswana.co.bw/
  42. ^"Sungate Namibia - Hangula Estates".hangula.com.Archived fromthe originalon 20 December 2016.Retrieved24 May2017.
  43. ^ab"Namibia Airports Company".www.airports.com.na.Retrieved21 August2018.
  44. ^"Hosea Kutako International Airport Windhoek".Routesonline.Retrieved13 September2017.
  45. ^"Namibia Airports Company puts safety first".Traveller24. 13 February 2015.Retrieved26 January2018.
  46. ^"Hosea Kutako International Airport — Wifi — App in the Air".Appintheair.mobi. Archived fromthe originalon 27 September 2017.Retrieved26 January2018.
  47. ^"This map reveals Wi-Fi passwords at airports around the world".The Independent.Retrieved21 August2018.
  48. ^"Namibia Launch New Business Lounge".menziesaviation.com.Archived fromthe originalon 21 August 2018.Retrieved21 August2018.
  49. ^"Project | New Hosea Kutako International Airport, Windhoek, Namib".www.l2b.o.za.Retrieved21 July2017.
  50. ^"N$900m road works start despite cash and water crunch".The Namibian.Archived fromthe originalon 1 September 2017.Retrieved21 July2017.
  51. ^"Chinese funds to boost infrastructure development, wildlife protection in Namibia - Xinhua | English.news.cn".News.xinhuanet.com. 16 November 2017. Archived fromthe originalon 16 November 2017.Retrieved26 January2018.
  52. ^"Namibian international airport to get expanded as traffic volumes soar - Xinhua | English.news.cn".www.xinhuanet.com.Archived fromthe originalon 29 May 2018.Retrieved21 August2018.
  53. ^"Hosea Kutako International Airport upgrade set to ease congestion – Construction to commence next week | Namibia Economist".
  54. ^abc"Air Botswana Network Expansion From Sep 2024".Aeroroutes.Retrieved3 September2024.
  55. ^ab"Fly Namibia to start operating the Windhoek – Victoria Falls route next year – Windhoek Observer".22 November 2023.
  56. ^"Discover Airlines Resumes Munich Long-Haul in NS25".AeroRoutes. 4 June 2024.Retrieved4 June2024.
  57. ^"Discover Airlines Expands Munich Hub with New Direct Flights to Orlando, Calgary, and Windhoek - Travel and Tour World".4 June 2024.
  58. ^"All airlines flying from Hosea Kutako, Windhoek to Walvis Bay".
  59. ^"FlyNamibia boosts Zambezi Region tourism with flight route shift and enhanced connectivity | Namibia Economist".
  60. ^"FlyNamibia Adds Windhoek – Maun in 3Q24".Aeroroutes.Retrieved6 May2024.
  61. ^abcd"FlyNamibia".Archived fromthe originalon 25 July 2023.Retrieved29 June2023.
  62. ^"FlyNamibia".Archived fromthe originalon 24 February 2023.Retrieved24 July2022.
  63. ^"Live Flight Tracker - Real-Time Flight Tracker Map".
  64. ^"FlySafair to launch Windhoek flights".2 September 2024.
  65. ^https://www.flysaa.com/flights-%7Cto-windhoek
  66. ^"AAV News in Brief 6 September 2021".4 September 2021.
  67. ^bidaircargo.com - Networkretrieved 6 February 2021
  68. ^"ET3876 schedule. (Ethiopian Airlines flight: Windhoek -> Addis Ababa)".
  69. ^"Our stations - Lufthansa Cargo".lufthansa-cargo.com.
  70. ^"Hosea Kutako Airport Shuttle".Windhoek Airport Shuttle. Archived fromthe originalon 23 January 2018.Retrieved26 January2018.
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