Windhoek: The Namibia Airports Company (NAC) in partnership with Air Connect Namibia celebrated a significant milestone with the arrival of the inaugural Edelweiss direct flight from Zurich, Switzerland, to the Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA). This marks the first-ever non-stop commercial air connection between Zurich and Windhoek.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the Switzerland-based leisure airline's Airbus A350 touched down at HKIA carrying 285 passengers, before departing with 261 passengers. The new service will initially operate twice weekly, with plans to increase to three weekly flights from mid-July 2026, as outlined in a media statement from NAC.

NAC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Air Connect Namibia spokesperson Bisey /Uirab emphasized the importance of the new route, describing it as more than just a flight. "This new route is more than a flight; it is a bridge between Europe and Namibia. We are thrilled to welcome Edelweiss and to further strengthen Namibia's position as a globally connected tourism and investment destination," he said.

Bisey /Uirab also highlighted Switzerland as an important tourism source market for Namibia, with approximately 22,000 two-way passengers recorded in 2024, reflecting a growing demand for travel between the two countries. He mentioned that NAC is in talks with relevant stakeholders to explore cargo handling developments at Namibian airports to diversify revenue streams beyond passenger traffic.

The inaugural arrival not only signifies aviation progress but also symbolizes strengthened ties between Namibia and Europe, enhancing Namibia's global connectivity in tourism and investment sectors.