WINDHOEK, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's first privately owned scheduled passenger airline, FlyNamibia, has renewed its air service licence in the wake of a high court ruling that set aside a government flying prohibition.

       FlyNamibia filed an urgent court application in March after the commission refused to extend its licence for another five years as it missed an application deadline.

       Last month, Esi Schimming-Chase, a High Court judge, reviewed and set aside the commission's decision, and referred FlyNamibia's application back to the commission, to be considered again.

       "Following a period of discussions and an urgent application to the High Court of Namibia in response to an initial notification of rejection from the Transport Commission of Namibia, we are thrilled to inform our passengers and partners that the licence has now been renewed," the airline said in a statement. "This development allows us to continue our operations without interruption, including the upcoming launch of our new routes to Victoria Falls and Maun (Botswana)."

       FlyNamibia operates domestic routes from Eros Airport in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, to Ondangwa, Katima Mulilo, Luderitz and Oranjemund, as well as regional routes between Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek and Cape Town International.

       The airline also runs the Walvis Bay International Airport and Cape Town International leg in partnership with South Africa's Airlink.

       Starting Thursday, FlyNamibia will operate a direct route between Hosea Kutako International Airport and Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

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