12 May 2026

The national carrier, Air Botswana, has been operating on auto pilot for the past five years due to persistent governance failures, board instability and the absence of executive leadership, Parliament has heard.

Appearing before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Statutory Bodies and State Enterprises on May 12, Air Botswana general manager, Dr Bao Mosinyi painted a grim picture of an airline battling operational and financial challenges that have left it struggling to stay airborne.

Dr Mosinyi, who assumed leadership of the troubled airline in February, revealed that for five consecutive years the airline either had an incomplete board or one that failed to form a quorum. As a result, key decisions were delayed, oversight weakened and strategic direction stalled.

Adding further weight to the governance crisis, Dr Mosinyi disclosed that six board-related positions were currently being filled in an acting capacity.

However, he said the airline had since begun the recruitment process, with advertisements for the vacant posts already being circulated.

Meanwhile, the airline’s financial troubles continue to mount.

Dr Mosinyi told the committee that in 2021, government injected more than half a billion Pula into the cash-strapped entity, yet the airline still recorded losses exceeding P2 million.

Reflecting on past decisions, he revisited a 2018 government loan of P250 million extended to the airline, describing the move as ‘irresponsible’ given the airline’s already fragile financial position at the time. “It was clear there was no way the airline would repay the loan,” he said.

Consequently, Air Botswana has now requested that the loan be converted into equity, although government is yet to respond to the proposal.

Dr Mosinyi explained that while government purchased six aircraft for the airline, only three were currently operational. One aircraft is grounded due to engine failure, while two others remain stranded in Namibia over unpaid bills.

He further revealed that approximately P146 million was required to secure the aircraft in Namibia, although some payments were processed last week. The airline now expects the aircraft to land home in June.

In addition, another P65 million is needed to restore the remaining grounded aircraft to service.

According to Dr Mosinyi, the airline currently employs 30 pilots, but nine have resigned since the beginning of the year. Of the remaining pilots, 20 are inactive and remain at home while continuing to receive monthly salaries.

As pressure mounted, the airline was forced to scale down operations significantly. Although Air Botswana has four aircraft available, he said it was currently operating on a two-aircraft schedule.

Regional routes to Lusaka, Harare and Cape Town have been suspended. Furthermore, even domestic routes were cancelled last Wednesday after pilots reportedly exhausted their regulated flying hours.

Dr Mosinyi explained that the airline was awaiting clearance from aviation regulators, with pilots expected to resume operations by the end of the week.

Nevertheless, he insisted that efforts to stabilise the airline were already underway.

Among the key interventions being pursued are financial audit recovery measures, revenue diversification strategies and urgent solutions to operational bottlenecks.

Dr Mosinyi expressed confidence that passengers would begin to see smoother operations between June and July. ENDS