Travel Update: Africa snapped up

AIR NAMIBIA (081-543 2122), which begins a weekly scheduled service from London Heathrow to Windhoek on Monday, upset British Airways and South African Airways when it announced an introductory return fare of pounds 299.

The fare was so successful that all economy seats have sold out on services until 6 October: the airline reports 'limited availability' in business and first class. From October, the cheapest fare on the route will be a Superpex return which will cost from pounds 550 to pounds 830.

As most seats on the Air Namibia special offer appear to have been bought by people travelling on to South Africa, it seems likely that there is a substantial market waiting to take up the lower fares to Johannesburg promised for this winter by Virgin.