This archive report was first published on 20 November 2019.
Published on November 20, 2019, Air Botswana has announced plans to lay off more than half of its workforce, a move aimed at returning the airline to profitability by refocusing on core operations.
The airline, which is Botswana's state-owned national flag carrier, plans to reduce its workforce from 450 to 210. This decision comes at a time when the government is trying to privatize the airline for the second time.
According to Chairman Tebogo Masire, the airline will separate the ground-handling operation into a new unit, with a wholly-owned company being established to re-employ the affected staff.
As part of its efforts to return to profitability, Air Botswana had previously retrenched staff in 2016 and 2017, and also replaced its old planes with new ones.
Letsego Moeng, responsible for transport at the Public Enterprises Evaluation and Privatization Agency, notes that the airline is also exploring options for an equity partner or an initial public offering (IPO).
Previous attempts to privatize the airline in 2003 with Comair and Air Mauritius were unsuccessful, with Air Mauritius withdrawing from the deal.
Air Botswana operates scheduled domestic and regional flights from its main base at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone.
