CEMAIR has applied for four
routes into Botswana and
plans to apply for additional
routes into other SADC
countries and expand its
domestic network in the first
quarter of next year.
The routes applied for are
Johannesburg to Gaborone,
Maun and Kasane as well as
Cape Town to Gaborone.
The applications for the
routes were in the final
phase, ceo Miles van der
Molen told TNW.
He explained that the
licences had been issued
and the airline was just
waiting for Botswana to
designate the frequency on
the route.
Cemair already operates
flights from Cape Town to
Gaborone on behalf of Air
Botswana on a wet-lease
basis. However, when the
airline starts operating its
own flights, it is likely to
enter into a codeshare with
Air Botswana.
In terms of the airline’s
domestic expansion, Miles
said it would increase
frequencies on the
Bloemfontein route and also
introduce new routes.
Cemair was also expanding
its fleet, having recently taken
delivery of a Bombardier
Q400, while a CRJ 900 would
be coming online soon too,
said Miles.
There has been much
talk of the acquisition of
Air Botswana, but Miles
confirmed that while Cemair
had submitted an expression
of interest, it had not
received feedback on this.
