About Company
Air Botswana is the national flag carrier of Botswana, headquartered at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone. Established on July 2, 1972, and commencing operations on August 1, 1972, it is wholly owned by the Government of Botswana and operates scheduled domestic and regional flights across Southern Africa.
Fleet
As of May 2025, Air Botswana operates a fleet of six aircraft:
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2 ATR 72-600 turboprops
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2 Embraer ERJ-145 jets (operated by Westair Aviation)
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1 Embraer ERJ-170 (currently inactive)
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1 Embraer ERJ-175
The average age of the fleet is approximately 13.1 years.
Destinations
Air Botswana serves 4 domestic and 8 international destinations across 6 countries:
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Botswana: Gaborone, Francistown, Maun, Kasane
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South Africa: Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Nelspruit
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Namibia: Windhoek
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Zimbabwe: Harare
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Zambia: Lusaka
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Mozambique: Maputo
Popular routes include Gaborone–Johannesburg, Gaborone–Maun, and Maun–Kasane.
Leadership and Expansion
Since December 2023, Lulu Rasebotsa has served as CEO and General Manager of Air Botswana. Under her leadership, the airline has focused on fleet expansion and route development, including new services to destinations such as Windhoek, Durban, and Mpumalanga.
Safety and Recognition
Air Botswana is a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the African Airlines Association (AFRAA). In 2024, the airline received the Silver L&A Aviation Safety Award, acknowledging its commitment to safety and operational excellence.
Customer Experience
The airline offers the “Teemane Club” frequent flyer program, providing various benefits to loyal customers. In 2024, Air Botswana launched a mobile app and a WhatsApp customer service line to enhance service delivery and customer experience.
Notable Incident
On October 11, 1999, an Air Botswana pilot, while on medical leave, intentionally crashed an ATR 42-320 aircraft into two other company aircraft at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport, resulting in his death and the destruction of all three planes. This incident temporarily crippled the airline’s operations.