Air Botswana is set to significantly enhance its presence in Cape Town, with plans to expand its routes and increase flight frequencies, boosting both business and leisure travel between the two regions. Effective from November 1, 2024, Air Botswana will implement several key changes to its Cape Town schedule, including the introduction of a new direct service linking Kasane and Cape Town, operating three times a week. This exciting development makes Kasane the eleventh African destination to join Cape Town’s route network since the launch of the Cape Town Air Access project in 2015, bringing the total number of African destinations connected to Cape Town and the Western Cape to sixteen.
Furthermore, Air Botswana will increase the frequency of its Gaborone-Cape Town flights from three to five per week. In addition, the airline will launch a new route connecting Maun to Cape Town, with three weekly flights. Gaborone, Cape Town’s top-performing city in Botswana, witnessed over 28,000 passengers in 2023. Maun, the second-ranking city after Gaborone, has experienced remarkable growth, with a 30% year-on-year increase in two-way passengers in 2023. While Maun-Cape Town is currently served by a daily Airlink flight, the addition of Air Botswana’s service will increase the route’s capacity to ten flights per week. Overall, these enhancements will increase the frequency of flights between Cape Town and Botswana from 10 to 18 per week.
Botswana is Cape Town’s fifth-largest two-way passenger market in Southern Africa, with over 57,000 passengers recorded in 2023, marking a 21% increase compared to the previous year. This expanded capacity is expected to further strengthen the relationship between the two regions, fostering greater trade, tourism, and cultural exchange.
Wrenelle Stander, Wesgro CEO and Official Spokesperson for Cape Town Air Access, emphasized the significant impact of Air Botswana’s expansions on boosting connectivity and contributing to the economic growth of both regions. She highlighted the inclusion of Kasane as a new regional connection within Cape Town’s route network as a testament to the project’s success in expanding Cape Town and the Western Cape’s reach across the continent.
Echoing this sentiment, MEC Ivan Meyer, Western Cape Provincial Minister for Economic Development and Agriculture, expressed his enthusiasm for the venture, stating that it would open up new business investment opportunities. He emphasized that the enhanced connectivity is expected to significantly boost tourism – a key driver for the Western Cape and the broader economy – while also creating potential trade opportunities. He highlighted the importance of tourism, particularly in light of its rapid growth following the COVID-19 pandemic, as a crucial factor in the region’s economic success. He also emphasized the Western Cape’s significant domestic tourism market as a key contributor to the industry’s resilience, helping to smooth out seasonal fluctuations.
Alderman James Vos, the City of Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, expressed the City’s pride in funding the Air Access Programme, underscoring its direct support for the city’s economic growth mission. He viewed the new flight from Botswana to Cape Town as a testament to the City’s commitment to connecting with key markets across Africa. He emphasized the positive impact of enhanced aviation links on stimulating trade and travel, leading to increased economic activity and benefits for the local economy.
Mark Maclean, Regional General Manager for Cape Town International Airport, welcomed Air Botswana’s new and expanded routes, recognizing their significant contribution to enhancing the airport’s connectivity with the region. He highlighted the introduction of Kasane to the network, along with increased flights from Gaborone and the new service to Maun, as offering passengers greater accessibility and convenience. He emphasized the airport’s commitment to providing an exceptional airport experience as they support these new connections and facilitate seamless transit for travelers between these key destinations.
