Namibia is expected to generate more than N$370 million in direct tourism spending from the planned Proflight Zambia and Edelweiss Air routes, according to estimates by Air Connect Namibia chairperson and Namibia Airports Company chief executive officer Bisey Uirab.
Uirab said the estimates are based on projected passenger numbers, load factors and operating periods for the two services, which are expected to operate between 2026 and 2027.
The Proflight Zambia route, linking Lusaka, Livingstone and Windhoek, is expected to generate between N$119 million and N$160 million in direct tourism spend, with a midpoint estimate of N$140 million over a 12-month period from March 2026 to February 2027.
The service is expected to operate three times a week, with passenger numbers estimated at between 9,000 and 12,000.
The Edelweiss Air service between Zurich and Windhoek is projected to generate between N$250 million and N$337 million in direct tourism spend.
The midpoint estimate places expected spending at about N$294 million over a 10-month operating period from June 2026 to October 2027.
The route is expected to operate twice weekly, with passenger numbers estimated at between 16,000 and 22,000.
Combined, the two routes could generate more than N$370 million in direct tourism expenditure, underlining the economic impact of expanded international air connectivity on Namibia’s tourism sector.
Air Connect Namibia is a multi-stakeholder initiative involving players across aviation, tourism, hospitality, government and investment, including the Namibia Airports Company, Gondwana Collection, the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Namibia Tourism Board, the Walvis Bay Corridor Group, the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board, the City of Windhoek and the Federation of Namibian Tourism Associations.
Uirab said improved air connectivity has opened access to new markets, strengthened Namibia’s competitiveness as a destination and supported longer-term opportunities linked to tourism and investment.
