Air Botswana invests in bigger aircraft
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
The AVRO RJ 85 aircraft is equipped with a bigger engine, but is of the same series as the current BAe 146 in their existing fleet. It has a carrying capacity of 93 passengers.
Speaking to Mmegi yesterday, Leshoai declared that after the acquisition of the AVRO, Air Botswana will now have a total of seven aircraft. He added that currently, five are operational, one is undergoing scheduled maintenance and the other one is grounded due to a technical fault. Mmegi investigations on the purchase revealed that British Aerospace Avro RJ85, Registration number A2-ABG, which arrived last weekend, is 15 years old. Asked if it makes business sense to buy the 15-year-old aircraft, the airline spokesman said "Before purchase, an extensive and exhaustive exercise was undertaken to identify the best maintained aircraft. In the aviation industry, a 15 year aircraft is considered relatively new and it is common practice for airlines to purchase such aircraft," he said.
This call is both timely and crucial, as it reflects a growing need for unity and collaboration amongst media bodies to address pressing issues facing the nation.The theme of this year’s Press Freedom Day, “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis,” resonates deeply with Batswana, particularly in light of the ongoing human and wildlife conflict. Botswana’s rich wildlife population is not only a national...