04 Jul 2024

 A lot has to be done to transform the Maun International Airport to world-class airport to enhance capacity and facilities to accommodate big aircraft and passenger traffic growth at the facility. 

The Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB) Chief Executive Officer, Dr Bao Mosinyi, said there was consideration to improve the strength of the runway surface and the terminal to handle all aircraft categories. He made the remarks on Wednesday when celebrating another addition of the inauguration landing of Fly Namibia flight into the Maun airport within a space of three weeks. 

The new flight would operate three flights per week on the route significantly enhancing connectivity between Namibia and Botswana. 

Recently, there was the inauguration of the Ethiopian Airlines direct flight from Addis Ababa to Maun. He appreciated that Maun International Airport was busy and there was still a lot of interest from other airlines to fly into the facility but there were limitations in the airport citing the inadequate runway and small terminal building capacity. 

“What we need in the Maun airport is more connectivity to even further distances and we are in consultations to find an immediate solution to have large airline touching down here from Europe,” he added.

 He said although there is a short-term solution, there is need for a long-term solution, as their intention is to build Botswana as an epicentre of aviation in the next five years. 

Dr Mosinyi said the Maun airport was the only place in the country where travellers could directly and easily connect to their destinations of choice without a stopover in Gaborone and emphasised the need to increase frequency and the size of aircraft to make Maun what they envisage it to be. Their plan, he said, was to work with all airlines servicing the airport such as Air link, Air Botswana, South African Airways and Ethiopian Airlines among others to interlink, code share with an aim to make seamless and convenient connections between countries. 

He expressed appreciation for the launch of the Fly Namibia flight and encouraged its management to work closely with other airlines and small-chartered aircrafts flying into the famous Okavango Delta.

The Maun airport has a rich aviation history given the tourism industry, which account for the majority of landing and take-offs and Dr Mosinyi revealed that the Fly Namibia flight would ferry more travellers to the area to enjoy the beauty of the delta. 

Fly Namibia’s General Manager Commercial, Ms Nerine Uys, appreciated their partnership with CAAB saying the route would be sustainable as it linked two popular tourist destinations. 

She said the journey would also open a lot of possibilities for both Botswana and Namibia and beyond noting that the connection was not just a new route in the airspace but it was also a venture that brought together rich cultures, and people with shared aspirations. 

“Our landing in Maun is testament to our commitment to fostering closer ties in hunting tourism and creating economic opportunities that will benefit both our countries. 

“The delta is a place of wonders and adventure attracting travelers from all corners of the globe and with this route, we aim to make it easier for people to experience the unparalleled beauty and diversity Botswana has to offer,” she added. 

Ms Uys further highlighted that Namibia similarly posts its own unique natural wonders and believed that travelers would as well explore and enjoy the magnificent landscapes and rich heritage. She said the new flight symbolised the beginning of new friendship and creation of countless memories adding that they were looking forward to a successful season. ENDS