Swiss leisure airline Edelweiss expects to bring approximately 15 000 round-trip passengers to Namibia annually by this year through its newly launched direct Zurich-Windhoek service, generating an estimated N$30 million in tourism spending for the local economy each year.
The projections were shared by Edelweiss Chief Executive Officer Bernd Bauer after the arrival of the airline’s inaugural non-stop flight from Zurich to Windhoek, marking a major milestone for Namibia’s tourism and aviation sectors.
The first flight landed at Hosea Kutako International Airport at around 19:30 on Monday, carrying 285 passengers from Switzerland. The launch establishes the first direct air connection between Zurich and Windhoek and is expected to strengthen tourism, trade and investment ties between the two countries.
“Swiss people tend to stay longer, and they tend to spend more than other tourists from Europe,” Bauer said.
According to Edelweiss’ calculations, spending on accommodation, tours, transport and other tourism-related activities could contribute around N$30 million annually to Namibia’s economy.
The airline will initially operate the route twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays. However, strong booking demand has already prompted Edelweiss to add a third weekly flight on Wednesdays from 15 July 2026.
“We saw bookings picking up quite fast and therefore introduced the third flight on short notice. We are confident that we can fill those flights and make it a successful operation until the end of October,” Bauer said.
The route will initially operate seasonally, but Bauer indicated that next year’s programme will begin earlier, with flights commencing at the end of March and continuing through to the end of October.
Namibia Airports Company (NAC) Chief Executive Officer and Air Connect Namibia spokesperson Bisey /Uirab welcomed the new service, describing it as a significant step in strengthening Namibia’s international connectivity.
“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.
The NAC noted that Switzerland already represents an important tourism market for Namibia, with approximately 22 000 two-way passengers recorded between the two countries in 2024.
The new route is operated using the Airbus A350-900, one of the world’s most modern and fuel-efficient long-haul aircraft. The aircraft offers improved passenger comfort, lower emissions and greater operational efficiency.
Bauer said the direct connection between Switzerland and Namibia may seem unusual given the relatively small populations of both countries, but he believes the market potential is strong.
“It is pretty obvious to have flights from Germany to Windhoek, but it’s not that obvious to have a flight directly from a small country like Switzerland into Namibia, even though Namibia is also small. So we fit,” he said.
Beyond attracting Swiss visitors, Edelweiss is also targeting Namibian travellers by providing access to Zurich’s extensive network of European connections through the Lufthansa Group and Swiss International Air Lines.
The return leg of the inaugural service highlighted the strength of demand, with 261 passengers departing Windhoek for Zurich on Monday night.
The airline’s arrival also introduces a completely redesigned long-haul travel experience. Edelweiss is replacing its Airbus A340 fleet with six Airbus A350 aircraft, featuring upgraded Economy, Premium Economy and Business Class cabins designed to enhance comfort on long-haul journeys.
As the airline prepares to expand to three weekly flights from mid-July, the Zurich-Windhoek route is expected to play an increasingly important role in driving visitor arrivals, supporting tourism growth and strengthening Namibia’s links with key European markets.
