criscokid
Sep 5, 01, 4:20 pm
Information source: http://www.bday.co.za/bday/content/direct/1,3523,920862-6094-0,00.html
Air Namibia became the second airline in Africa to have to be baled out yesterday, when it was announced that Dutch airline KLM is set to take over the management of the debtridden Namibian national carrier.
The rescue of Air Namibia follows shortly on the heels of Air France's rescue of Air Afrique last month.
Namibian Finance Minister Nangolo Mbumba said his government had approached a number of major airlines, including SA Airways (SAA) and British Airways, about a possible partnership with Air Namibia.
Sources said KLM could clinch a deal with the government.
A high-powered government team made up of Mbumba, Prime Minister Hage Geingob and Air Namibia Board chairman Tom Alweendo visited Holland last week to seal the partnership deal with KLM.
Air Namibia is fully owned by the Namibian government.
Mbumba described negotiations with KLM management as "encouraging" but declined to divulge further details "until we have reached an agreement".
Sources said KLM was interested in managing Air Namibia. "It is not a major takeover. The airline (Air Namibia) will continue to fly with the Namibian flag but KLM will have a major say in the management," said the source.
The joint venture is being worked out along the lines of KLM's partnership with Kenya Airways. KLM has a 26% stake in Kenya Airways.
It is also understood that Air Namibia will shelve its joint venture with Eagle Aviation.
Air Namibia became the second airline in Africa to have to be baled out yesterday, when it was announced that Dutch airline KLM is set to take over the management of the debtridden Namibian national carrier.
The rescue of Air Namibia follows shortly on the heels of Air France's rescue of Air Afrique last month.
Namibian Finance Minister Nangolo Mbumba said his government had approached a number of major airlines, including SA Airways (SAA) and British Airways, about a possible partnership with Air Namibia.
Sources said KLM could clinch a deal with the government.
A high-powered government team made up of Mbumba, Prime Minister Hage Geingob and Air Namibia Board chairman Tom Alweendo visited Holland last week to seal the partnership deal with KLM.
Air Namibia is fully owned by the Namibian government.
Mbumba described negotiations with KLM management as "encouraging" but declined to divulge further details "until we have reached an agreement".
Sources said KLM was interested in managing Air Namibia. "It is not a major takeover. The airline (Air Namibia) will continue to fly with the Namibian flag but KLM will have a major say in the management," said the source.
The joint venture is being worked out along the lines of KLM's partnership with Kenya Airways. KLM has a 26% stake in Kenya Airways.
It is also understood that Air Namibia will shelve its joint venture with Eagle Aviation.