Air Botswana's new board intends to re-assess the airline’s fleet and its ability to generate revenue, according to a report by the Botswana Guardian newspaper.
This decision was reportedly made clear during the board's first meeting following its announced appointment on June 27. Part of the discussion involved evaluating a leaner fleet structure, "to keep a few [aircraft] and lease others," which could offer better commercial returns.
Air Botswana currently operates two ATR72-600s domestically and transborder to South Africa; and one E175 on regional routes. Its in-house E170 has been in maintenance since April 2025. The airline is also trying to sell a sole ATR42-500. Meanwhile, it also dry-leases its own two E145s to Westair Aviation (WAA, Windhoek Eros), which is operating them for Air Botswana under an ACMI agreement. The aircraft were acquired with Botswana state backing in 2024 and placed on the Namibian carrier's air operator certificate (AOC) due to regulatory constraints in Botswana.
According to the Botswana Guardian, among the board’s top priorities is a review of controversial contracts, including the leasing of the two Namibian-registered E145s, which reportedly raised questions of compliance and cost-effectiveness.
Financially, the airline is reportedly in steep decline, with no audited accounts submitted since 2021 and reports of payroll shortfalls requiring ministry intervention.
The board shake-up is part of a broader turnaround strategy, led by former Air Serbia and euroAtlantic Airways CEO Dane Kondić, whose appointment as the chairman of the new Air Botswana board has been controversial in light of his dual role as chairman of the management committee of LAM - Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique (TM, Maputo). While the LAM board has required Kondić to relinquish his Air Botswana position and focus on turning around the Mozambican flag carrier, the Botswana Guardian reported that Kondić had wrapped up a short-term assignment with LAM and was now fully engaged in reshaping Air Botswana's future.
Within days of taking office, the Air Botswana board suspended general manager Lulu Rasebotsa for 30 days, pending investigation. Insiders said the move was likely to become permanent, citing mounting financial losses on major routes. Acting commercial director, Boikanyo Ntwaagae, has reportedly stepped in temporarily as general manager during Rasebotsa's suspension.
Sources close to the government said President Duma Boko’s confidence in the new board stems from his personal backing of Kondić’s appointment, on advice from Botswana aviation businessman and new board member, Dimitris Bradshaw, and former Etihad Airways CEO James Hogan, whose consultancy Knighthood Global, is advising the Mozambican government on the turnaround at LAM. Hogan and Kondić worked together in the past during Etihad’s 2013 strategic investment in Air Serbia, where Hogan was vice chairman.
