21 Jul 2020

Air Botswana has resumed local flights after a three-month suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking at launch of the first flight, Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Thulagano Segokgo, said Air Botswana suffered great loss due to movement restrictions.

He said the airline started with the Gaborone-Maun route to test the waters, adding ‘if all goes well, other routes will be considered.’

For her part, Air Botswana general manager, Ms Agnes Khunwana, explained that they decided to start with the Gaborone-Maun route to check passengers’ response.

“If the response is positive, then we will resume the Kasane and Francistown routes,” she added.

Ms Khunwana said the Maun flight started off well with full capacity and expressed hope to maintain the status quo.

In an interview, one of the passengers, Ms Henrie Smith said she was excited to be among the first passengers after a three-month dry spell.

Another passenger, Ms Lasty Monamisi, was also happy that flights had resumed and she would finally be meeting her mother after a long time.

“I have never travelled long distances by road due to ill health and I last saw my mother in March before the lockdown, but we have been talking over the phone,” she said.

For Mr Kahungirire Ngatangue, resumption of local flights came at a time when Thamalakane River was flowing again.

“Most of Maun-born people never want to miss welcoming the flow of the Thamalakane River, so I guess most of them, including those who often visit Maun are happy that flights have started,” he said. ENDS