Hundreds of tourists, including Dutch, German, and Belgian nationals, have found themselves stranded in Namibia after Discover Airlines, a subsidiary of Lufthansa, grounded their flight due to mechanical issues. The chaos began last Friday when passengers were set to travel from Windhoek to Frankfurt, only to face abrupt cancellations just hours before takeoff.
According to reports from De Telegraaf, the Airbus A330-300 was grounded due to a malfunctioning part, which could not be replaced locally. Passengers were initially told the problem would be resolved quickly, but after the flight was canceled again, confusion turned to frustration as no clear timeline for their return emerged.
“We’ve been here since Friday,” said one visibly upset Dutch passenger. “Two hours before departure, our flight was canceled. A part of the plane was broken, and they said they would send a replacement part the next day. That didn’t happen. Then, the flight was canceled again on Sunday at the last minute. We’re just standing here, looking at each other. What now?”
The lack of communication from Discover Airlines only added to the mounting frustration among the travelers. Another Dutch tourist echoed these sentiments, highlighting the prevailing issue: “The biggest irritation is the total lack of information. We have no idea when we will be able to leave. We keep calling Lufthansa, but every representative tells us something different.”
Adding to the tension was the health crisis experienced by some passengers. Reportedly, one German tourist necessitated hospitalization after running out of diabetes medication. “A German tourist had to be taken to the hospital because he ran out of medicine for his diabetes,” shared another concerned traveler.
The logistical nightmare did not end there. Flights from Namibia are typically limited to one per day, and the stranded tourists reported confusion over discrepancies between what airline representatives conveyed and the actual flight statuses displayed at the airport. Some passengers claimed they received conflicting information, with one Lufthansa employee wrongly asserting the flight had not been canceled.
Stranded passengers were reassured the day after the cancellation they might be rebooked on alternate flights through Ethiopian Airlines or KLM's Amsterdam route, but these plans had yet to materialize. Most of the affected travelers ended up spending their nights across various hotels around Windhoek, which were reportedly arranged by local staff at Hosea Kutako International Airport.
Interestingly, business-class travelers who booked their flights via tour operators had managed to be rebooked and left Namibia, leaving other passengers to fend for themselves. Many travelers who purchased their tickets independently, particularly those who used platforms like Booking.com, found themselves without support. An anonymous source expressed frustration with their treatment, highlighting the disparity: “We booked our tickets through Lufthansa, but the flight was operated by Discover Airlines. We expected German punctuality, but instead, we’ve been told our cheap tickets mean we can't be rebooked on KLM flights because they’re too expensive. Lufthansa is treating us like second-class passengers.”
The uncertainty surrounding their return to Europe continues to loom large. One German tourist conveyed feeling abandoned by the airline, stating, “Why hasn’t Lufthansa sent a plane to pick us up? It feels like the airline is washing its hands of responsibility for the group stranded here.”
Discover Airlines later confirmed the technical defect causing the delays. “Unfortunately, flight 4Y139 from Windhoek to Frankfurt, scheduled for Friday, January 3, 2025, could not be operated as planned due to a technical defect,” said the airline spokesperson. “The issue is currently being repaired on-site, and we are working to get the aircraft back in operation as quickly as possible.”
For the hundreds of passengers awaiting clarity, the situation has turned from idyllic vacation to helpless limbo, as they find themselves relying on tenuous promises from the airline and each other for support.