Air Botswana might replace its BAe 146-100s (Jaco du Plessis)

Botswana’s government has announced that it will invest BWP100 million (US$17 million) to recapitalize Air Botswana, with the aim of improving their performance and preparing them for privatization. The move comes in the wake of the collapse of a planned takeover of the airline by South Africa’s Airlink. Minister of Works and Transport Lesego Motsumi indicated that an experienced airline operator would be recruited to run Air Botswana on a management contract for two to three years. The airline’s fleet would be renewed, with BAe 146-200s on short-term leases replacing the current pair of 146-100s pending a broader review of fleet requirements. Pilot compensation would also be increased in a bid to stop the flow of flight crew to other carriers. A shortage of flight crew has periodically led to flight cancellations and the need for expensive short-term leases from other carriers.

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)