15 Jul 2020

COVID-19 has had a devastating and unprecedented impact on the airline industry and Air Botswana was also not spared, says general manager, Ms Agnes Khunwana.

Addressing the media on July 13, Ms Khunwana said the pandemic had  compelled Air Botswana to suspend its operations in  March.

However, she said the closure had brought a number of benefits to the airline.

“We were able to review our cost structures, policies and procedures to ensure that going forward we are able to manage our costs and hopefully run a financially sustaining airline,” she said.

Ms Khunwana explained that Air Botswana would be reintroducing a scaled down operation with the aim of covering operating costs.

She also highlighted that the airline was working with other operators under various Public Private Partnership (PPP) models and the entire tourism eco-system to try to find ways to reduce operating costs.

“Air Botswana has been earmarked for privatisation, and all of the above mentioned efforts are aimed at improving its value proposition and making it attractive to potential investors,” she said.

The general manager also explained that the airline’s scheduled domestic operations would be effected on July 17 with 50 per cent of services offered. She explained that the aim was to gradually increase the frequency of operations on the basis of demand and to reinstate regional operations as soon as travel restrictions were lifted.  

For his part, director of flight operations, Mr Captain Leshogo said Air Botswana had taken all the necessary precautions and procedures to adhere to the COVID-19 health regulations, including regular sanitising of the aircrafts and the cancellation of on-board meals.

He  urged passengers to book flights ahead of time and to make use of the airline’s online platforms for various services .Ends