Air Botswana resumes regular int’l pax ops

Air Botswana (BP, Gaborone) resumed scheduled international passenger flights with four weekly return flights between Gaborone and Johannesburg O.R. Tambo on November 10, 2020. The airline said it would adjust its schedules on the route based on travel demand. Other regional destinations would be introduced gradually including Cape Town, Harare Int’l, and Lusaka. In terms of the government’s phased approach, international flights are only allowed to and from three airports from November 9: Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone; Kasane International Airport; and Maun International Airport. From December 1, international flights will also be allowed from Francistown. Further ports of entry are to be considered in due course. Air Botswana was only able to operate domestic services since the country closed its borders in March 2020 to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The airline has a fleet of three aircraft: two ATR72-600s and one ERJ 170-100LRs. Botswana on November 1, 2020, re-opened for private charters, while the government was finalising legislative requirements and health protocols for the re-opening of its borders. South African regional airline Airlink (South Africa) (4Z, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo) will follow Air Botswana with twice daily, 5x weekly services between Johannesburg and Gaborone on November 16. Airlink will add 3x weekly services between Johannesburg and Maun on December 1; and 3x weekly rotations between Johannesburg and Kasane from December 16. Travellers arriving in Botswana are required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result conducted within 72 hours of departure and will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms on arrival. Any visitor displaying symptoms will be required to undergo a PCR test, and possible isolation and/ or quarantine for 14 days.