Eros airport decision still uncertain

SOUTH African Airlink's ceo, Rodger Foster says a bilateral air agreement between the governments of Namibia and South Africa means that Namibia cannot unilaterally take a decision to halt scheduled commercial flights to Eros Airport in Windhoek Speaking to TNN, Foster said that the agreement recognises Eros in the Namibian capital as an official gateway. He disputed the Namibian government's use of considerations of safety and environmental concerns to prevent SA Airlink and SA Express from flying to the airport, saying current aircraft being utilised are very modern, efficient and quiet. The Namibian government hopes all flights will land at the Hosea Kutako International Airport some 45km outside of Windhoek. There has been much speculation that the move is aimed at protecting the ailing national carrier, Air Namibia which currently does not have the equipment to compete against its South African counterparts. Foster added that the current deadline to halt services to Eros has been extended to February 7, but that negotiations between the two governments are continuing. (Miguel de Sousa)