Mmegi

Air Botswana to lease out jets as financial pressures mount

Fighting to survive: Air Botswana has huge debts and is also struggling with operational issues PIC: MBONGENI MGUNI
Fighting to survive: Air Botswana has huge debts and is also struggling with operational issues PIC: MBONGENI MGUNI

Despite receiving a more than P300 million investment from government to buy jets, Air Botswana now says its six-aircraft fleet is larger than what it currently needs to run operations efficiently, warning that excess jets are draining the airline’s finances through insurance costs and expensive maintenance obligations.

Last year, Air Botswana welcomed the Embraer E175, in what the then-management labelled as a push for regional expansion with the opening of new routes such as Gaborone-Cape Town. Now the airline says it will lease out the jet alongside the Embraer E170 to other airlines to generate short-term revenue and ease off financial pressures.

The newly appointed General Manager of Air Botswana, Bao Mosinyi, appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Statutory Bodies and State-Owned Enterprises, said the airline runs a two-flight schedule, which at most needs three aircraft as opposed to the six that the airline currently has.

Editor's Comment
Let justice, not politics determine Salakae’s fate

“Justice should not only be done, but should manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done.”-Lord HewartHis decision was the correct one.The move neither proves guilt nor settles the serious allegations that have brought him to the doorstep of the Regional Magistrate’s Court.It does, however, recognise a basic principle of accountable government, that a minister facing criminal charges should not remain in a position that could create even...

Have a Story? Send Us a tip
arrow up