WINDHOEKELVIS MURARANGANDA
Air Namibia has refused to reconsider its recent airfare increases, arguing that the hikes lessen the burden on the taxpayer to bail it out of financial trouble.
Besides, "everything else in life today is expensive," the airline said in a statement.
"Air Namibia has been making losses since its inception, and the company is trying all possible avenues to improve its revenue," spokesperson Paulus Nakawa said.
The statement was in response to complaints by northern business people that flights between Windhoek and Ondangwa are too expensive.
"The airline industry is a complex one, not only from the nature of operations but by the type and magnitude of operating costs incurred," Nakawa explained.
"The Eros-Ondangwa route... has been loss making despite having high passenger numbers. With recent improvements... this route [is} starting to show commendable improvement."
Air Namibia says there has been an increasing demand for seats on the Eros-Ondangwa route, and promised not to increase the fares any further.
"Air Namibia is doing what it can to help reduce overall costs to its customers. On the Ondangwa route, for example, we have two flights per day."
According to Nakawa, the airline has secured a half-price deal with Protea Hotels across the country for its clients who wish to stay overnight.
"Assuming that a normal hotel room costs N$1 300 per night, a 50% discount (over three nights) will generate a saving of about N$1,950, which, when you set it off against your air ticket cost, reduces it by more than half," he said.
Nakawa said Air Namibia operates on business principles to ensure that it is able to recover costs.
"We also urge our customers to understand that we operate in a very tough industry and that the challenges we are facing are not only unique to us."
The national airline has increased its fare on the route between Windhoek and Ondangwa by 23% to N$2 450 for a one-way ticket, while a return ticket costs between N$3 200 and N$4 914 depending on the season.