Botswana has marked a significant step forward in stimulating air access to the region with the launch of an official air access strategy incorporating key members of the tourism, aviation and trade sectors.

Hoping to build on the model of similar successful initiatives such as Cape Town Air Access, the Botswana Air Access objective is to attract, retain and expand air connectivity to Botswana. The project was officially launched on August 22 in Gaborone at the same time as national carrier Air Botswana embarks on significant route expansions.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB) is spearheading the initiative in partnership with the Botswana Tourism Organisation, the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre, Business Botswana, Travel Agent’s Association of Botswana and the Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana. These organisations will assist in advisory roles and strategic engagements with domestic, regional and international carriers.

“The project will have positive effects on tourism, investment and trade as it is a collaborative national destination initiative driven by its objective to improve ease of international air access to Botswana,” said CAAB CEO Bao Masinyi.

Earlier this year, project stakeholders attended the AviaDev conference in Namibia to begin engagements with regional and international carrier representatives. A team will seek to continue engaging carriers at the largest air services development platform in the world, Routes World, in Bahrain in early October.