Westair Aviation

Westair Aviation Limited, also known locally as FlyNamibia, is a Namibian airline offering scheduled passenger services under the FlyWestair brand as well as cargo and ACMI services[4][5] based at Windhoek-Eros.

Not to be confused with WestAir Airlines.

Westair Aviation
FlyWestair
IATA ICAO Callsign
WV WAA WESTAIR WINGS
Founded1967 (1967)
Windhoek, Namibia
Commenced operations1967
Hubs
Frequent-flyer programFrequent Flyer[1]
Fleet size30
Destinations6[2]
HeadquartersWindhoek, Namibia
Key peopleHenry van Schalkwyk (CEO)[3]
Employees280 (March 2020)[3]
Websitewestair.com.na

History

In 1967, Westair Aviation began as an aircraft maintenance facility and since became a passenger and freight aviation company.[6] The airline has become a provider of ad-hoc as well as air chartered services in Namibia, providing long-term lease and aircraft maintenance services.[7] The airline also operates a variety of scheduled and unscheduled air cargo flights and has been offering a dedicated cargo service to DHL over the past 20 years.

In June 2005, Stimulus Investment Limited, a local Namibian investment company acquired 29% of the total issued ordinary share of Westair Aviation, with the airline's management retaining 71% of the ordinary shares. Stimulus sold the shares back to Westair management in 2014 and is no longer a shareholder in Westair.[8][9]

In November 2015, Westair Aviation acquired an Embraer ERJ-145 from LOT Polish Airlines. Named 'Tatekulu', this twinjet 50-seater was the first addition to the airlines' specialist fleet.[10][11]

As of April 2018, the airline planned to expand its passenger route network to five scheduled destinations and six airports in two different countries in Southern Africa.[5] In June 2019, the airline was granted designated carrier status by the Namibian Transport Commission. Scheduled local flights commenced on June 24, 2019 from its base at Eros Airport under the newly established brand name FlyWestair.[12][13] In September 2019, the airline revealed plans to commence its first international destination by starting flights from Eros Airport to Cape Town.

Fleet
Westair Aviation Cessna 310

Westair Aviation's current fleet consist of over 30 aircraft. The aircraft suit relevant operations such as freight-transporting, crew rotations for mining operations and offering VIP charters to The Namibian government.[6][14] Westair Aviation's fleet comprises Embraer, Beechcraft, Piper and Cessna aircraft with the Embraer ERJ-145 being their largest.[15]

Destinations

Following is a list of destinations Westair Aviation serves on a scheduled basis branded as FlyWestair, as of February 2021:[2]

Country City Airport Refs
NamibiaOndangwaAndimba Toivo ya Toivo Airport[2]
NamibiaRunduRundu Airport[2]
NamibiaWindhoekWindhoek-Hosea Kutako[2]
NamibiaWindhoekEros Airport[2]
South AfricaCape TownCape Town International Airport[2]
South AfricaJohannesburgO. R. Tambo International Airport[2]

Codeshare agreements

Westair Aviation codeshares with the following airline:

References
  1. "FlyWestair".
  2. flywestair.com - Book Flight retrieved 11 February 2021
  3. "Namibia: Westair Retrenches Amid Virus Outbreak". 26 March 2020.
  4. "WESTAIR - HOME". westair.com.na. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  5. 2018, UBM (UK) Ltd. "Westair Aviation outlines preliminary scheduled service from April 2018". routesonline.com. Retrieved 8 March 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. "WESTAIR - SPECIALIZED SERVICES". westair.com.na. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  7. "Westair Aviation Airline Profile | CAPA".
  8. "BEE investment in Westair".
  9. "Westair Aviation | NCE".
  10. "Namibia's Westair Aviation adds maiden Embraer jet". Ch-Aviation.
  11. "Flight Schedule | Flyairlink".
  12. https://prod.ihms.co/assets/files/1560238586113_FlyWestairMediaRelease.pdf
  13. "Westair Aviation launches scheduled passenger airline - FlyWestair". 11 June 2019.
  14. "Namibia's Westair Aviation acquires four ERJ-135s from HOP!". ch-aviation.com. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  15. westair.com.na - Fleet retrieved 11 February 2021
  16. "FlyWestair | Book Our Flights Online & Save | Low-Fares, Offers & More".
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