10 May 2018

An official from the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Mr Orapeleng Mosigi say Maun airport refurbishment and a new terminal building are imminent.

Mr Mosigi revealed this in an update at the Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB) in Maun conference held in Maun recently. He said the developments are expected to ease movement at the Maun International Airport given the current congestion.

He noted that the tendering process was ongoing.

“We will start by refurbishing the current terminal building which will take six months and subsequently construct a new terminal building to address the challenges experienced,” he said. Colic Construction and Development completed the first renovation phase of the airport in August 2016 to the tune of P86 680 000.  The airport manager, Mr Larona Mokete had briefed the Maun Administration authority that MIA experienced congestion challenges in the terminal building and thus the need for a bigger facility.

Further, Mr Mosigi said government had taken a decision to re-fleet Air Botswana with two more aircraft, a jet and an ATRS, to replace the old existing ones, an exercise expected to be complete  before end of the year.

He observed that the transport sector was an enabler for other sectors as the tourism industry.

He therefore said improving the transport sector would address some challenges to ease movement within the country, to ensure its security and accessibility to all areas. Ends