Air Connect Namibia and Air Botswana have announced the launch of new flights connecting Windhoek to Maun, Kasane and Gaborone, with the latter service connecting to Durban. 

These routes are meant to establish important links for business and leisure travellers, and strengthen relations between the two neighbouring countries.

Air Connect Namibia, established in 2024 and led by the Namibia Airports Company (NAC), is a collaborative air service development initiative mandated to improve air access to the country. 

Project stakeholders include the Namibian Airports Company (NAC), Gondwana Collection, Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI), Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), Walvis Bay Corridor Group, Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) and the City of Windhoek. The initiative is committed to assisting and supporting carriers who service the country’s international airports.

Commencing on 1 October 2024, Air Botswana will operate a three-times-per-week service connecting Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone to Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek, continuing on to Durban’s King Shaka International Airport in South Africa. 

The route will not only facilitate seamless travel between the Botswanan and Namibian capital cities but also provide access for both capitals to South Africa’s third-biggest city. 

The new route is scheduled to operate on a Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. In addition, on 1 November 2024, Air Botswana will launch a three-times-per-week service connecting Maun International Airport to Hosea Kutako International Airport, and a three-times- per-week service connecting Kasane International Airport (BBK) to Hosea Kutako International Airport. 

These services will provide access from the Namibian capital to two of southern Africa’s leading tourist hubs: the Okavango Delta and the Chobe National Park. The services will operate on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. 

“The new additions are popular destinations for business and tourism, and we are excited to offer convenient air travel between the cities for the advancement of economic activities in all the countries, particularly Botswana. We are also excited that this strategic move is directly linked to the airline’s expansion plans and sustainability. Furthermore, both these new and reinstated routes as well as increased frequencies will strengthen our footprint in the region and simultaneously offer increased flight options to the travelling community within Botswana and beyond,” said Lulu Rasebotsa, CEO of Air Botswana. 

“We at the Namibia Airports Company and Air Connect Namibia are extremely happy about the new routes that connect Windhoek with various destinations in Botswana. 

The commencement of these air routes is a culmination of sustained engagements at all levels of government and business to strengthen political, diplomatic, and business relations between our two sister countries. These air connectivity routes between our countries will certainly ensure increased people-to-people and business-to-business interaction between the peoples and businesses of the two countries,” said Bisey /Uirab, Air Connect Namibia chairperson and CEO of the NAC. 

Passengers can expect a comfortable travel experience with the Air Botswana fleet and friendly cabin crew, committed to ensuring safety and satisfaction throughout the journey. Air Botswana noted that as it continues to grow its network, the airline is dedicated to improving connectivity within Southern Africa, and emphasised the airline’s commitment to creating more opportunities for business and leisure travellers alike.