Chris Yates/MANCHESTER
South-west African carrier Air Namibia has decided to replace its ageing Boeing 747SP with a 767-300ER. The airline had been expected to opt for the Airbus A340, but a last-minute offer saw a switch to the Boeing aircraft.
The ex-Challenge Air aircraft is due to enter service on 1 April, when the 747SP will be returned to lessor South African Airways.
Air Namibia found that the 747SP had become a burden and contributed to significant losses during the last financial year.
Entry into service of the 767 will coincide with a shake-up of Air Namibia's international route network when flights will continue to operate three times weekly to Frankfurt, but will be reduced to twice weekly to London Heathrow. The carrier is not yet prepared to give up its third Heathrow slot.
Air Namibia has also decided to separate Frankfurt and London flights, giving the airline a significant capacity boost in the key German market, where a recently signed codeshare agreement with LTU is expected to bear fruit. Maintenance will be conducted in Frankfurt, although Air Namibia says that it hopes soon to have a maintenance base capable of A checks in Windhoek.
The airline is also taking up the possibility of launching a service to Paris in the third quarter of the year. This route will be operated with current equipment, although the airline does not deny speculation that it may soon be in the market for a second long haul aircraft.
Air Namibia will take another Boeing 737-200 on 1 April for its growing regional network. The carrier is also looking to replace its Raytheon Beech 1900Cs.
Source: Flight International
