Air Botswana bolsters regional push with new jet
Pauline Dikuelo | Monday June 2, 2025 10:20
The 88-seater Embraer E175 becomes the third Embraer aircraft in the national carrier’s fleet, joining its E145 twin siblings, Ukhwi and Matsieng, which began operations in May 2025. This latest addition marks a significant milestone in the airline’s efforts to modernise its fleet and strengthen its regional presence.
According to officials, the acquisition is part of a broader strategy to revitalise the national airline and expand its footprint across Southern Africa. The move comes at a time when Air Botswana faces increased competition from regional carriers, most notably South Africa’s Airlink, which has been aggressively expanding its network and capturing a growing share of the local and regional market.
Despite the tough competition, Air Botswana is positioning itself to remain a key player in regional aviation. The introduction of new and reinstated routes, along with increased flight frequencies, is expected to significantly bolster the airline's visibility and service offering.
This strategic growth aims to provide travellers with more options and improved connectivity within Botswana and across the region.
The latest Embraer addition complements the airline’s current fleet, which includes one Embraer jet and three ATR aircraft, servicing key domestic and regional routes such as Gaborone to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Kasane, Maun, and Francistown.
Looking ahead, Air Botswana is also planning to introduce new routes to meet the evolving travel needs of its passengers.
Air Botswana CEO, Lulu Rasebotsa, emphasised the importance of the fleet expansion in enhancing service delivery and operational efficiency.
“We are delighted to have our Embraer trio now leading our skies,” she said in a statement. “We believe that through these additions to our fleet, we will aptly service our customers flying our regional routes to Windhoek, Cape Town, Durban, Harare, and Lusaka, as well as popular domestic destinations. “These expanded flight paths represent a strategic investment expected to drive revenues and deliver on our mandate to Batswana as the national airliner.”
The Embraer E175, known for its fuel efficiency and comfort, is ideal for connecting smaller cities to major hubs, making it a perfect fit for Air Botswana’s expanding route network.