Hi I am just a consumer and I dont really want to spread rumour to harm anybody. I tried to book a flight in UK through a chain bucket shop call Dial-a-Flight for 20th August 2008 to Namibia and I was told this afternoon that officially they refuse to take booking for air Namibia since they cannot guarantee the air line will be there in four weeks - i.e. getting us back after our trip !!!!!!!!!!

This is alarming and from UK we have to travel from London to Jburg transit for 03 hours and then to Namibia..........

Anybody heard news from any other source?

I have called various branches of Dial-a flight and they all give the same information.

Worrying

Shawn at Gracy Travel just sent me my Air Nam tickets today and didn't seem worried about it.

Besides it will be after the hunt so what's to be concerned about?

I called Air Namibia office in London and they assured me that there are no issues. However what would the employees know in situation like these?

In fact they are full on economy on the dates I wanted so I have to travel by business class. I am worried that they might fold during the time we are out there and we might not get a flight back...........after the hunt

This is very disturbing news to me. I will fly Air namibia the 19. august to windhoek from Frankfurt. I will call the agent tomorrow and get back.

The Gracy folks are usually on top of everything & I am scheduled for AN transfer from Frankfurt to Namibia in Sept. I have heard nothing from them.

listen I am not trying to cause trouble or to spoil somebody's trip I am just repeating what I am told by somebody not related to hunting at all..........

Keep in mind AirNamibia is and has been in the past, heavily subsidized by the Namibian government. I suspect the government is well aware that most tourists don't just drive to Namibia to spend their money.

Don't jump off of anything just yet.

Edited to add.. http://allafrica.com/stories/200806270966.html

This story is from last month.

I think every Airline is currently close to Bankrupcy.

quote:

Originally posted by Rodam:
This is very disturbing news to me. I will fly Air namibia the 19. august to windhoek from Frankfurt. I will call the agent tomorrow and get back.

I will be on that flight too!
After the hunt we will see. For the time being: "Don´t worry! Be happy!"

B.Martins

I have paid for the ticket today but with a full comprehensive travel insurance and make sure there is full refund including the hunt package in case of financial failure of the airline to delivery a service......we shall see hope nothing happens

quote:

Originally posted by tradewinds:
I think every Airline is currently close to Bankrupcy.

Quite true. The difference with Air Namibia is that it has always operated at a deficit with a large subsidy from the Namibian government. As with any governmental program there is always debate about how much the government should sink into AN. But the bottom line is that a huge portion of Namibia's GNP comes from tourism, so the government's continuing subsidy makes sense. I would rather book on an airline that is facing bankruptcy that is backed by a government than one which is "flying on its own".

By the way, discount ticket agencies are not the most reliable sources of information on air carriers -- the agency has a vested interest in selling you tickets on the one from which it is getting the most juice.

Even though the Frankfurt - Windhoek is long, I still like flying with Air Namibia. There is one flight attendant in particular that I really enjoy watching. She's been on several of the flights I've been on.

I always take out flight and trip insurance to cover any contingencies or cancellations.

Namibiahunter

From the Namibian newpaper today, be sure to see the final sentence.


Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - Web posted at 8:43:49 AM GMT

Air Namibia may revive 737 link between Walvis Bay and SA

ADAM HARTMAN
AIR Namibia is considering reviving its air link between Walvis Bay, Windhoek, Johannesburg and Cape Town.




Air Namibia's Executive for Business Development, Xavier Masule, says there has been a growth in demand for flights from Walvis Bay to South Africa and the airline's Boeing 737-500 might be used on this route as soon as September.

Air Namibia's regional flights from Walvis Bay were suspended in 2001 due to low demand.

"We only had the one 737 for regional operations, but it was not viable to use it for scheduled flights from Walvis Bay anymore, except for the occasional charter," he told The Namibian.

Air Namibia now has two 737s and, depending on approval by the Namibia Airports Company, plans to reintroduce flights to and from Walvis Bay before the end of the year.

The upgrade of the Walvis Bay airport has entered its final stages.

The project includes the widening and lengthening of the runways and building "heavyweight" aprons for large aircraft.

The project is financed by the Spanish Government to the tune of N$320 million.

Additional projects such as upgrading the terminal to handle more passengers and the construction of a fire station, financed by the Namibia Airports Company, are also in the pipeline.

Tenders have already been sent out, a reliable source told The Namibian.

The upgraded airport will mostly be used for international cargo flights - mainly fish exports to Europe.

The viability of passenger flights to the Americas still has to be evaluated.

My family is all booked up and ready to rock on our trip to Namibia. We leave on July 21st. and return on Aug 4th. We are going through Frankfurt to Windhoek. Gracy travel sent us our ticket info with no mention of the bankruptcy. There’s nothing like work going crazy and working 12 to 14 hour days including weekends the week before you leave!!! I am glad I got a lot of things done early.

Semper Fi and safe hunting.
Will