The Ministry of Works and Transport has distanced itself from a document circulating detailing purported discussions between Namibia and Ethiopian Airlines over the establishment of the proposed national carrier, Namibia Air.

The Ministry said the document was not published, issued, or released by it and therefore does not represent government policy, decisions, or any concluded agreement with Ethiopian Airlines.

The Ministry has, however, confirmed that discussions were held between a Namibian delegation and Ethiopian Airlines regarding the establishment of the proposed national carrier, Namibia Air, albeit not as detailed in the document.

The clarification follows reports based on the alleged briefing document, which claimed that Ethiopian Airlines had proposed that Namibia Air start operations with three ATR 72-600 aircraft, which should be leased rather than purchased.

The document also reportedly proposed removing the Windhoek-Johannesburg, Windhoek-Cape Town, and Windhoek-Luanda routes from the initial network, while recommending one daily flight to Johannesburg at the start of operations.

It further alleged that Ethiopian Airlines offered technical support, including assistance with the business plan, training, maintenance, and certification, while an equity partnership would require management control of key positions.

However, the Ministry rejected any suggestion that the contents of the circulating document constitute official government decisions, policy, or agreements.

It warned that presenting the circulating document as factual or official is misleading and without foundation.