When Botswana achieved its independence in 1966, a national airline was only a dream, but in 1988, today’s Air Botswana was born. The airline serves as a benchmark for national carriers in Africa, thanks to the commitment of the shareholders and its robust infrastructure base necessary for the provision of high quality services. Such infrastructure includes an online reservations system supporting an active fleet of six fully owned aircraft.
Ben Dahwa, General Manager (CEO), is very proud of the airline’s recent operational performance. He says, “Air Botswana continues to offer the most cost effective and popular flights on the Gaborone-Johannesburg route, with a 45% share of the market. We have boosted our on-time performance by more than 20% in recent months to consistently achieve above 90% average.” This operational improvement, he said, came about after the Airline, through assistance from the Ministry of Transport and Communications, worked with Management Consultants to rationalise and improve the critical areas of operation. It is through this process that the new and improved schedule was developed and became operational in March 2014.
Central to Air Botswana’s performance and survival is the shareholder’s appreciation of the airline’s positive net contribution to the national economy. Today’s fleet comprises three ATR42-500, one ATR72-500 turbo propeller aircraft, and two Avro RJ85 jets. Air Botswana currently flies to local and regional destinations within Southern Africa. Locally the airline connects Gaborone with Francistown, Maun and Kasane with an additional route between Maun and Kasane. Regionally the airline connects Johannesburg with Gaborone, Maun, Kasane and Francistown, and further links from Gaborone to Cape Town, Harare and Lusaka. The Airline also connects Cape Town and Maun.
Ben Dahwa anticipates strong growth for Air Botswana as Botswana continues to develop. He says, “The relocation of the Diamond Trading Company should attract more business to Botswana to stimulate both passenger and high value cargo growth.” The airline has just recently expanded its cargo facilities and ground handling capacity, positioning itself well, in anticipation of increased cargo business through SSKIA airport.
The future
Air Botswana is continually looking for partnerships with reputable long-haul carriers to bring more visitors to Botswana and to extend the airline’s reach to other parts of the world over the next five years and beyond. It is looking for more code-share agreements with other airlines for flights to and from the Americas, the Middle East, Asia and Europe. The airline has also commenced the process to significantly upgrade its fleet, human resources and technical expertise. “The year 2014 has proven to be a positive one for the Airline, having addressed some identified gaps in critical operational areas, coupled with a new, five year Strategy Plan that is undergoing approval, the Airline is poised to present and provide a quality service that our customers have come to expect from us”, says Ben Dahwa.
Air Botswana, Going Your Way
Air Botswana
Head Office Switchboard: +267 3688400
Marketing & PR: +267 3688419/420/426
Central Reservations Botswana: +267 3680900/ +267 3951921
Reservations Office South Africa: +27113903070/1/2/3
Alternatively book and pay online at www.airbotswana.co.bw
