Sixteen Namibian companies have expressed interest in contributing to the establishment of a national airline for Namibia.

This is according to the spokesperson of the Ministry of Works and Transport, Julius Ngweda.

Speaking to Nampa, Ngweda said the ministry appreciates the patriotic response and the willingness of the public to assist in a significant national endeavour.

Ngweda revealed that a dedicated technical committee has been established to guide the process of setting up the national airline.

This committee, he says, is comprised of individuals with specialised knowledge and expertise in various areas of aviation to ensure a thorough and informed approach to the complex undertaking.

Namibia's former national airline, Air Namibia, was liquidated in 2021, with the government announcing plans earlier this year to establish a new national airline by December 2026.

Minister of Works and Transport Veikko Nekundi said last month that the new airline will contribute significantly to the country's economy.

Ngweda stressed that the technical committee has been actively engaged in deliberating on the establishment of the airline within the allocated time.

The committee will initiate outreach efforts at the appropriate stages of the process to ensure that public input is effectively integrated into its planning and development.

He thus urged individual members of the public to remain patient.