Inaugural Edelweiss direct flight arrives from Zurich

NAMPA
2026-06-02
WINDHOEK, 01 June 2026 - The Namibia Airports Company (NAC) in partnership with Air Connect Namibia received a significant boost on Monday with the arrival of the inaugural Edelweiss direct flight from Zurich, Switzerland, to the Hosea Kutako International Airport. (Photo: Contributed) WINDHOEK, 01 June 2026 - The Namibia Airports Company (NAC) in partnership with Air Connect Namibia received a significant boost on Monday with the arrival of the inaugural Edelweiss direct flight from Zurich, Switzerland, to the Hosea Kutako International Airport. (Photo: Contributed)
WINDHOEK, 02 JUN (NAMPA) – The Namibia Airports Company (NAC) in partnership with Air Connect Namibia received a significant boost on Monday with the arrival of the inaugural Edelweiss direct flight from Zurich, Switzerland, to the Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA).
NAC, in a media statement on Tuesday, noted that the Switzerland-based leisure airline's Airbus A350 landed at HKIA carrying 285 passengers, marking the first-ever non-stop commercial air connection between Zurich and Windhoek. The aircraft later departed with 261 passengers.
“The new service will initially operate twice weekly, with plans to increase to three weekly flights from mid-July 2026,” the statement said.
NAC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Air Connect Namibia spokesperson Bisey /Uirab said the route represents more than just a new air service.
"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," /Uirab said.
According to /Uirab, Switzerland remains an important tourism source market for Namibia, with approximately 22 000 two-way passengers recorded in 2024, demonstrating growing demand for travel between the two countries.
He also revealed that NAC is engaging relevant stakeholders to explore cargo handling developments at Namibian airports as part of efforts to diversify the company's revenue streams beyond passenger traffic.
“The inaugural arrival is not only a celebration of aviation progress but also a symbol of strengthened ties between Namibia and Europe,” the statement read.
(NAMPA)
JTS/EK/AS

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