Swiss leisure airline Edelweiss Air will increase its planned non-stop flights between Zurich and Windhoek from two to three weekly services from 15 July 2026, in a boost to Namibia’s growing international air connectivity.
The expansion comes just weeks before the airline launches its new direct route between Zurich Airport and Hosea Kutako International Airport on 1 June, when it will begin operating two weekly flights using an Airbus A350-900.
From 15 July, the airline will add a third weekly flight for its first season of operations on the Zurich-Windhoek route.
Air Connect Namibia Chairperson and Namibia Airports Company Chief Executive Officer Bisey /Uirab said the additional flight signals growing confidence in Namibia as a tourism and investment destination.
“The Edelweiss announcement is a strong vote of confidence in both our country and the long-term potential of the Zurich-Windhoek service,” /Uirab said.
“We are delighted to welcome Edelweiss’ initial decision to serve Windhoek. The airline’s decision to add an additional frequency demonstrates what we as a country can achieve through constructive collaboration with our stakeholders and the broader community.”
He said the added capacity would improve travel flexibility and seat availability for visitors from Switzerland and broader European markets, particularly during Namibia’s peak tourism season between July and October.
According to Air Connect Namibia, Namibia served 10 international destinations in 2023. That figure is expected to rise to 17 direct or non-stop international destinations by mid-2026.
The organisation said Namibia has added the highest number of new international city connections in Southern Africa over the period and recorded the region’s largest capacity growth of 18% among countries without a national airline.
Switzerland remained one of Namibia’s key European source markets in 2025, ranking as the country’s fifth-largest market with an estimated 24,200 two-way international passengers. Passenger volumes rose by 9% compared to 2024.
With the additional Edelweiss flight, the Lufthansa Group, through Edelweiss and Discover Airlines, is expected to operate 13 direct weekly flights between its European hubs and Windhoek, contributing more than 152,000 annual seats.
Air Connect Namibia said it continues to engage airlines to expand Namibia’s international route network to support tourism, trade and investment.
