Air travel gets slow start into 2024
Staff Writer | Tuesday July 30, 2024 11:08
The drop saw a decline in the number of movements of airlines into and within the country, at a time when the national carrier plans expansion into other routes. Statistics Botswana transport and infrastructure brief revealed that during the first quarter of 2024, a total of 12, 509 aircraft movements were recorded, a decline of 22.9% from those recorded in the previous quarter. “A total of 161, 742 passenger movements were recorded In Q1 2024, a decrease of 18.4 percent when compared to the previous quarter. International passenger movements constituted 57.4 percent while the remaining 42.6 percent were domestic.
A decrease in passenger movements was recorded in both domestic and international passengers; they went down by 19.0 percent and 17.9 percent respectively,” the report revealed. The Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (SSKIA) registered the bulk of passenger movements with 54.2% of the total, of which 96.3% were scheduled. This made the SSKIA the airport with the highest number of scheduled passenger movements at 65.9% of total passenger movements. The Maun airport followed with 31.2% of total passenger movements, of which 51.9% were scheduled.
The national carrier, Air Botswana, has been trying to increase air travel numbers through various strategies with the most recent one being the addition of three Embraer jets to its fleet and eyeing a fourth purchase, marking a significant step in the efforts to revitalise its operations. Announcing the development last month, Air Botswana, Chief Executive Officer, Lulu Rasebotsa, highlighted that the expansion is part of a broader strategy to turn the national carrier around. “We have identified three aircrafts, all fully paid for and we are on the market for the fourth one,” she said. Air Botswana also plans to introduce new routes to better serve travellers.
Rasebotsa stated that the airline is currently benchmarking to ensure the new routes are implemented effectively, with the aim to meet customer needs and expand Air Botswana’s market reach. “The airline regards the acquisition of the Embraer jets and the expansion of routes as crucial steps towards achieving financial stability and operational efficiency,” Rasebotsa said. In a bid to support local youth entrepreneurs, Air Botswana has also started incorporating products from entrepreneurs as snacks on its flights.