Botswana’s national airline, Air Botswana, has resumed BAe 146 operations after a hiatus of several years. Last year, the airline had arranged to lease its remaining 146-100, A2-ABD (msn E1101), to Italian start-up Goldwing Airlines, but the deal fell through. After a period of storage in Europe, the aircraft returned to Gaborone in August 2001 and was placed in storage. Rather than keeping the aircraft idle, however, the airline decided to place her into service. She entered service on 1 April, replacing a wet-leased Fokker F28 on the route from Johannesburg to Maun, the gateway to the popular tourist destinations in the Okavango Delta area. She also steps in for the airline’s ATR42s when needed. Plans call for the 146 to be flown for an initial nine-month period, during the busy tourist season. Although the airline would prefer to sell the aircraft, it is considering continuing to operate her in the long term.
Recent news items on Air Botswana:
- Former Air Botswana BAe 146 parted out (2018-01-06)
- Ex Air Botswana Avro RJ85 airframe donated to non-profit (2017-09-30)
- Air Botswana BAe 146 ferried to the Philippines (2017-08-26)
- Air Botswana Avro RJ85s to be parted out (2016-08-06)
- Air Botswana puts its 146s up for auction (2015-05-22)