Botswana’s national flag carrier, Air Botswana, is set to revolutionise regional connectivity with an ambitious expansion. Following the acquisition of three state-of-the-art Embraer jets in June 2024, the airline will introduce new routes from Kasane to Cape Town, Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, and Windhoek.
Mogolo Mokgosi, Sales and Marketing Manager for Air Botswana who announced the routes added that Kasane is a hub for a large number of lodges in the immediate areas of Caprivi (Namibia), northeastern Botswana, western Zimbabwe and southern Zambia, Maun is known as the gateway to the Okavango and the Makgadikgadi Pans.
The capital city of Botswana will also now be connected to a third city in South Africa, with the addition of flights between Gaborone and Durban. Flights between Gaborone and Windhoek will also soon come into operation.
The airline also announced the reinstatement of routes that were halted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Air Botswana’s flights connecting Kasane-Johannesburg, Maun to Johannesburg as well as Francistown to Johannesburg will soon be available.
Currently, Air Botswana operates three daily flights between Johannesburg and Gaborone and three weekly flights between Gaborone and Cape Town.
“The new fares … are designed to stimulate demand, increase sales and provide affordable air travel, particularly within the specified new markets,” said Mokgosi. At this stage, a flight schedule is not available.
The airline announced that it had taken delivery of three Embraer aircraft in June. Airline CEO Lulu Rasebotsa said that, with Air Botswana’s expansion plans, it is likely that it will need to purchase a fourth aircraft soon.
“The airline views the acquisition of the Embraer jets and the expansion of routes as crucial steps towards achieving financial stability and operational efficiency,” Rasebotsa said.