30 Mar 2022

 Francistown South MP, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi says Air Botswana flight fares are high and should be reduced to enable Batswana to use air transport. 

Mr Mmolotsi, who was debating the Civil Aviation (Amendment) Bill of 2021 in Parliament on Tuesday, said the flight fares were too high as compared to other countries. 

He pointed that a return trip from Gaborone to Francistown was P2 800, while a flight trip covering similar distance in South Africa cost significantly less money.

He said the steep prices had resulted in working class people in Botswana resorting to the use of road transport for long distance travel instead of flights. 

Mr Mmolotsi argued that the scenario had cost Air Botswana many potential passengers which led to it being not profitable. 

“If we want more people to use flights in our country, we should look at Air Botswana prices and reduce them to a level where they will be affordable to Batswana,” he said. 

He said with affordable fares, Air Botswana would have more passengers, because flying was convenient compared to driving in long distance trips. 

“Air Botswana should also consider introducing routes between Francistown and Kasane as well as Francistown and Maun because there are many potential customers in those places,” Mr Mmolotsi said. 

He also called for upgrading of airstrips in major villages with a view to introducing flights to those places. 

Mmadinare MP, Mr Molebatsi Molebatsi called for installation of aviation lights on telecommunications towers across the country to improve safety in the aviation space. Mr Molebatsi said the absence of aviation lights increased the risk of aircrafts and helicopters hitting telecommunications towers. 

Palapye MP, Mr Onneetse Ramogapi asked for fair competition in the local aviation industry, instead of Air Botswana monopolising things. Mr Ramogapi said the unfair competition was shown through high charges for privately owned aircrafts when they used the Civil Aviation Botswana facilities. He also called for construction of an airport in Palapye. 

Kgalagadi South MP, Mr Sam Brooks asked for introduction of a flight to the Kgalagadi district, while Ghanzi South MP, Mr Motsamai Motsamai requested for direct flight from Gaborone to Ghanzi. 

Responding to issues raised by MPs, Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Thulagano Segokgo said the aviation industry showed an increase in passenger volumes between 2012 and 2019. Mr Segokgo said although the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted things, the industry was now showing signs of recovery. 

He admitted that Air Botswana prices were high. “We are constantly engaging with Air Botswana to see how best they can achieve reductions in their air fares. But these involves quite substantive activities,” he said. 

On charges to private aircrafts for using Civil Aviation Botswana facilities, he said the country’s charges were low compared to other countries in Southern Africa. 

He added that the amended law would compel the installation of aviation lights on telecommunications towers. Parliament passed the Bill on Tuesday. ends