Air Namibia: The airline that changed our flying habits

GERALD CLOETE WRITES:

From Windhoek to Walvisbay, and then to Oranjemund or Lüderitz to Lüka. Grabbing a jacket and bag and then left for Cape Town. A few days later from Windhoek to Ondangwa and then the breath-taking route from Windhoek to Gatwick or Frankfurt.

Oh… Will we ever forget this? Or is it gone with the Air and what remains is Namibia?

I had the opportunity to study hotel management on a Swiss scholarship and regularly traveled for the four years. With international airlines taking the lead we squirmed to remain on time from external domestic flights, as well as keeping budgets in place and connections on the side as it was just too expensive to maintain flying. After the long year of studies with classes, projects and sweat from tests and exams, coming home for Christmas to the land of open spaces was a dream coming true, to visit the family again and of course to enjoy what granny on farm Rietoog had in her biscuits and cookie cupboard! Of course, don’t forget about the ex around the corner, who wanted to be left without strings attached.

With Air Namibia opening more routes and changing its name, we could leave the cars with long distance driving and take the opportunity to fly with our National Pride, placing our hands in our pockets for our own, own economy and negotiating a rate as a “homey”. Routes changed and we often flew more and took the family along.

Remember Vic Falls and the coasts. This we could afford as time passed by.

Now and then a delay and then a sigh, but eventually we were all Namibians flying the high ways with our airline and with pride.

Covid came and lockdowns in its place, unions and government contested in the race, as the decision remains and as true as it is, Air Namibia changed our flying habits once again.