Air Botswana informed tour operators and other stakeholders via industry announcements early March that it would cancel both its Maun-Kasane and Maun-Cape Town return flights by March 31, 2013. The national carrier operated four flights a week between Maun and Cape Town and two flights a week between Maun and Kasane. Though the reasons behind the intended stoppage were unclear, tourism industry stakeholders understood the national carrier was inspired by viability issues in making the decision. However, prior to Good Friday, Air Botswana issued yet another industry announcement to the effect that the two routes were being reinstated.
"Air Botswana would like to inform you of the decision to reinstate services on the Maun-Cape Town-Maun and the Maun-Kasane-Maun routes, effective immediately," read part of the announcement."The reinstatement comes after a favourable evaluation of the seasonal and economic variations which airlines experience," it added.
The disorder came as a South African airline, Airlink was scheduled to launch flights four times a week between OR Tambo and Kasane using 37-seater jets.
