By Kuvee Kangueehi
Windhoek
A Namibian parliamentary delegation was left stranded yesterday afternoon at Cape Town Airport after an Air Namibia plane left earlier than the departure time.
According to a member of the delegation who spoke to New Era on the phone, the delegation arrived on time at the airport under police escort. He said they were then in the VIP Lounge when alerted that the plane was about to take off.
There were still 20 minutes left before take-off and the pilot was informed that the delegation was on its way to the plane, said the source. But the pilot is said to have instructed that the doors be locked and the plane took off.
Six members of the delegation were supposed to travel in the business class while two were booked in the economy class.
“My concern is that the airline, which is economically struggling, left customers behind and thus lost out on the much needed revenue,” said the member of the delegation.
He said that this meant that the country lost out financially twice as the airline did not cash in and the delegation had to spend another night in Cape Town at the expense of the taxpayer.
They were informed, he said, that Air Namibia habitually departs before time.
The delegation consisted of Swapo Chief Whip Dr Hage Geingob, Speaker of the National Assembly Theo-Ben Gurirab, Deputy Chairperson of the National Assembly Margaret Mensah, MP Nora Schimming-Chase, National Assembly Secretary Nama Gaomab and other Parliament staff members.
The delegation was attending a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association meeting, which ended yesterday.
Air Namibia could not be reached at the time of going to press.