I was scheduled to fly from Spokane, WA to Seattle, pick up my guns there, then re-check them aboard a Condor Airlines flight to Frankfort Germany and after an 8 hour layover there, fly direct to Windhoek, Namibia. This apparently was the preferred route as opposed to going from here to Atlanta to JoBerg, having a days layover there and then re-checking the guns in Jo Berg and going to Windhoek.
Does this routing sound reasonable or are there better routes. I would like to only have to check my rifle once going and coming, not multiple times. Opinions or advice ?
Rolly:
AVOID AIR NAMIBIA AT ALL COSTS if that is the airline you were planning on using from Frankfurt into Windhoek. Air Namibia has always had a bad problem with cancelling flights, both their international, regional and domestic, due to financial problems like unable to pay their fuel bills and contract maintenance. It has gotten even WORSE the past few years. A few weeks ago they were in contract negotiations with the company they are leasing their three Airbus aircraft they use for the long haul Frankfurt/Windhoek route with the goal of canceling the contract/aircraft and declaring bankruptcy for the entire airline. This Aug, our Air Namibia flight from Gaborone to Windhoek was canceled and we nearly missed our flight home from Windhoek the next day.
Condor Airlines - be VERY sure they allow firearms! The last info I had was they DON'T. They could have changed that but absolutely double check and be 100% sure.
Only other ways to get to Windhoek without going through Johannesburg - Qatar Air via Doha Qatar and direct into/out of Windhoek 3-days a week. Delta/KLM direct to/from Amsterdam 3-days a week and British Airways via London. Be careful with BA, the flight to/from Windhoek runs out of Gatwick and most other international flights arrive/depart Heathrow (or vice versa) You have to claim baggage and firearms, change airports and re-check. Problem is you CAN'T carry your firearms or ammo. You have get transit permits and hire a lic transfer agent and last time I checked it cost $600 for two rifle cases EACH WAY.
Wife and I did the Delta/KLM route this past Aug. You do have to get a transit permit to go through Amsterdam. You get the form off the KLM website. Six pages but the instructions are very clear and easy. Fill it out and email it in at LEAST 8 WEEKS before your flight. They will email your permit back a few days before your flight. Your luggage and rifle cases will be checked all the way through. If you have a long layover, you can get a day room at the Yotel right in the secure area of the airport. If you have a short layover they also offer a shower booth.
In my opine - by all means take your personal firearms while you can. Yes, they do add complications and you do have to be extra careful in your planning and they do limit your movements within the various countries if you want to do additional sightseeing, but it is all doable with some very good pre-planning. My personal "rule of thumb" is NEVER book less than a 4 hour layover in an international airport or if you have to change airlines or clear immigration/custom. You might make your flights, but the tighter the connection time the less likely your luggage and especially firearms will make your flights. This includes re-entering the US. The primary reason is firearms require special handling and have to basically be signed for by everyone who touches the cases and in non-US countries, either police or special security personnel are required to transport or store between flights.
I'm retired military. Traveled to 68 counties total in my mil life and 30+ safaris with firearms in the past 12-years.
