Windhoek: Growing air connectivity, which has added more than 120,000 international seats in two years, is supporting tourism, energy investment, and job creation in Namibia. This was stated by Works and Transport Minister, Veikko Nekundi on Wednesday.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Nekundi was speaking at the Air Connect Namibia Annual Event in Windhoek. He said aviation has become a central component of Namibia's economic infrastructure, linking the country to global markets and regional partners. Namibia recorded over one million origin-and-destination passengers in 2024, an 11 percent increase from 2023, with passenger numbers growing by a further 11 percent between January and October 2025.
International connectivity has expanded from 10 destinations in 2023 to an expected 17 destinations by mid-2026, supported by new and expanded services from airlines including Proflight Zambia, Edelweiss, Discover Airlines, FlySafair, South African Airways, Fly Angola, and Airlink. 'Aviation supports trade, investment, and access to global expertise that are critical to Namibia's development,' Nekundi said, adding that sectors such as green hydrogen and oil and gas rely on air connectivity to attract international partners, technology, and capital.
The minister said that Namibia's position as a long-haul destination for markets in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East makes reliable air access essential for maintaining competitiveness in tourism and investment. Tourism remains a major beneficiary of expanded air services, with aviation enabling access to remote destinations and supporting spending across accommodation, transport, and related services. Nekundi said each arriving flight contributes to economic activity and employment across both urban and rural areas.
He said beyond tourism, aviation supports skills development and employment across technical and service-based professions. He noted that each direct job in the sector supports several indirect jobs in related industries, contributing to broader labor market participation, adding that aviation also improves access to healthcare, education, and essential services, particularly for remote communities that depend on domestic air links.
While supporting continued expansion, Nekundi said growth in the aviation sector must be aligned with sustainability considerations to protect Namibia's natural assets. "Aviation is not a luxury for Namibia, it is a necessity for development," he said.