Air Namibia announced on Wednesday that staff salaries for April would be delayed by at least a week as the country’s ban on air travel hits its cashflow.

Namibia’s government suspended air travel as a measure to curb the spread of COVID-19, which has now killed close to 180,000 people globally and affected over 2.59 million people.

The country also imposed a six-week lockdown to further halt the spread of the disease.

Air Namibia acting chief executive Elia Erastus told local media that the temporary suspension of flights was a contributor to the airline’s cashflow troubles.

Erastus said April salaries for the airline’s 700 employees were anticipated to be delayed by a week due to “critical cash flow problems”.

The official noted that employees have already been informed of the dire financial situation and were told to make arrangements with creditors.

Air Namibia is currently operating on a skeleton staff of 450 people.