AirNam to spread wings, eyes UK tourist market

NATIONAL airline Air Namibia is intent on re-introducing a direct flight to London by July, despite the need to iron out some issues related to the implementation of its new business plan.

To date the company has not been able to clinch a deal for the lease of an Airbus aircraft, in accordance with its business plan, for use on this route. The Namibian has learned that, although not ideal, discussions are now in the pipeline to lease a Boeing 767 in the interim so that it can start flying the route.This aircraft would be able to carry about 220 passengers.The business plan, for which Government budgeted N$366 million this year – largely to get the plan up and flying, is centred on ridding the airline of the jumbo jet and acquiring an Airbus A340-300s to service long-haul routes.Senior Manager for European Operations, Wimpie van Vuuren, told The Namibian that despite the hiccups, it was imperative that the airline re-introduce the London route in the coming months.He said there was no more room for growth in the German market.Compared to last year, passenger loads from Frankfurt increased by about 50 per cent in January and by up to 45 per cent during February and March.”It would be sad if we are only to concentrate on one market.We need to diversify.It makes sense to add a new market,” said Van Vuuren.”We need to introduce the London route.This is how we will become more profitable and how a scale of economies will be achieved.”Previously the London route was offered using the Boeing 747-400 Combi.However, this is no longer possible as the plane now flies return trips between Germany and Namibia four times a week.Van Vuuren said the challenge of attracting the British market was different from that posed by the German market:surveys have apparently shown that the two cannot be handled together.At present, the German market makes up about 85 per cent of Air Namibia’s international travel load, with Europe totalling 70 per cent of its total passenger revenue.Van Vuuren said the airline hoped to attract British tourists to Namibia by including the options of travelling on to Cape Town and Johannesburg – better known destinations for the European traveller.According to booking records, passenger loads from Frankfurt to Namibia between April and August are forecast to increase by six per cent this year compared to 2003.On average, the Boeing will carry about 80 per cent of its capacity – 287 – during these months.Despite the financial turmoil the aircraft has created for the airline since it was bought nearly five years ago, Van Vuuren said it remained a large drawing card for European travellers because of its comfort factor and known safety record.The Namibian has learned that, although not ideal, discussions are now in the pipeline to lease a Boeing 767 in the interim so that it can start flying the route.This aircraft would be able to carry about 220 passengers.The business plan, for which Government budgeted N$366 million this year – largely to get the plan up and flying, is centred on ridding the airline of the jumbo jet and acquiring an Airbus A340-300s to service long-haul routes.Senior Manager for European Operations, Wimpie van Vuuren, told The Namibian that despite the hiccups, it was imperative that the airline re-introduce the London route in the coming months.He said there was no more room for growth in the German market.Compared to last year, passenger loads from Frankfurt increased by about 50 per cent in January and by up to 45 per cent during February and March.”It would be sad if we are only to concentrate on one market.We need to diversify.It makes sense to add a new market,” said Van Vuuren.”We need to introduce the London route.This is how we will become more profitable and how a scale of economies will be achieved.”Previously the London route was offered using the Boeing 747-400 Combi.However, this is no longer possible as the plane now flies return trips between Germany and Namibia four times a week.Van Vuuren said the challenge of attracting the British market was different from that posed by the German market:surveys have apparently shown that the two cannot be handled together.At present, the German market makes up about 85 per cent of Air Namibia’s international travel load, with Europe totalling 70 per cent of its total passenger revenue.Van Vuuren said the airline hoped to attract British tourists to Namibia by including the options of travelling on to Cape Town and Johannesburg – better known destinations for the European traveller.According to booking records, passenger loads from Frankfurt to Namibia between April and August are forecast to increase by six per cent this year compared to 2003.On average, the Boeing will carry about 80 per cent of its capacity – 287 – during these months.Despite the financial turmoil the aircraft has created for the airline since it was bought nearly five years ago, Van Vuuren said it remained a large drawing card for European travellers because of its comfort factor and known safety record.