Time is such an interesting concept. Depending on our mood, our experiences, the current rhythm of our lives, we either have too much time or too little. We never seem to have just enough. During lockdown last year, we seemed to have nothing but time on our hands. When we started returning to some semblance of normal workdays, time seemed to be something short at hand. And what a time it’s been!

One of the biggest COVID casualties in the travel sector has certainly been the airline industry. Large ships turn slowly. As a result, most airlines tumbled under the pressure of the pandemic. Even here in Namibia, our national carrier could not withstand the tidal wave of disruption.

Despite all odds, a young and dynamic private airline in Namibia has somehow survived. Having launched only a few months before the start of the largest global crises to hit the aviation industry since the Wright brothers first took off (quite literally), this small airline’s wings are holding strong. FlyWestair is Namibia’s first privately-owned scheduled passenger airline. Its first official scheduled flight took place in June 2019, a mere 10 months before lockdown and extreme travel restrictions hit Southern Africa. Despite the upheaval, the company has made it through what seems to be the worst of it (knock on wood). During the height of lockdown, FlyWestair conducted multiple repatriation flights to help get Namibians home from various parts of the world, while also taking foreigners back to their home countries. Once travel started to re-emerge from hibernation, FlyWestair promptly resumed its suite of domestic and regional flights. As of going to print, the airline flies to destinations such as Ondangwa and Cape Town from Windhoek, with the imminent introduction of Rundu and Katima Mulilo and the re-introduction of Oranjemund to follow suit.

The young and dynamic team, priding themselves on being incredibly agile and on the speed at which they make and implement decisions, has been heralded as the source of the airline’s success. A proudly Namibian company, FlyWestair continues to grow from strength to strength, rolls with each and every punch thrown its way, and remains utterly dedicated to providing Namibia and the flying public with exceptional on-time service and a home-grown option to choose for their travel needs. It was about time for Namibia to welcome a private airline. And about time for the region to have another option when it comes to travel in SADC. In the maelstrom of uncertainty, rapid changes and continuous upheaval, travel should be easy, efficient and aware of our precious time. It should be safe and adaptable to change. Keep an eye on this exciting player in Southern Africa’s aviation league. With more regional routes to roll out soon, they are definitely the team to watch…
It’s about time. TNN