Air Botswana to launch new routes to South Africa

Air Botswana gets major route network expansion

Travellers in both South Africa and Botswana will soon have a new direct route to look forward, as Air Botswana recently announced a major route network expansion between the two countries.

As per travel news, the airline announced it will be adding as well as reinstating destinations into its network, connecting Botswana to more destinations in neighbouring countries, including South Africa.

The new routes will include flights from Kasane to Cape Town, from Maun to Cape Town, from Kasane to Kruger (KMIA) and from Kasane to Windhoek.

This is according to Mogolo Mokgosi, Sales and Marketing Manager for Air Botswana, who also said that the new fares were designed to stimulate demand, increase sales and provide affordable air travel, particularly within the specified new markets.

Besides Maun and Kasane, Gaborone will also see new connections with Durban, South Africa and Windhoek, Namibia.

The airline also revealed that it had recently taken delivery of three Embraer aircraft in June, with Air Botswana CEO Lulu Rasebotsa saying 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.

Returning services

Apart from the new routes, Air Botswana also announced the reinstatement of routes that were placed on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic. The airline’s flights connecting Kasane and Johannesburg, Maun to Johannesburg and Francistown to Johannesburg will soon be available as well.

No flight schedule is available just yet.

Competition on the route

Last year FlyCemAir also announced that it will be offering a new flight service to Kasane, Botswana. This new service will make it the official second service that the airline offers to the nation of Botswana, with the first being to Maun.

The new flights started from 16 September, and operate non-stop, twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and Kasane International Airport.