Botswana’s national carrier, Air Botswana, will soon place two Embraer ERJ145 aircraft into service.
The two Embraer jets have made their way from Kuala Lumpur to Windhoek, where they are undergoing maintenance checks before they will be put into service with Air Botswana.
The ERJ 145s were acquired through aircraft lessor Gari Capital Group LLC.
The aircraft, both 16 years old, were previously in service with Tianjin Airlines in China.
WESTAIR PERFORMS MAINTENANCE CHECKS
The aircraft arrived at Windhoek’s Eros Airport on 11 October and are undergoing maintenance checks, which Westair is undertaking.
Westair Aviation Limited is a Namibian aviation service provider and airline offering scheduled passenger services under the FlyNamibia brand as well as cargo and Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (ACMI) services based at Eros Airport in Windhoek.
Westair already has ERJ 145 aircraft in its fleet. In November 2015, Westair Aviation acquired an Embraer ERJ-145 from LOT Polish Airlines. Named ‘Tatekulu’, this twinjet 50-seater was the first addition to the airlines’ specialist fleet.
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AIR BOTSWANA FLEET
The two Embraer ERJ 145s join Air Botswana’s compact fleet comprising an Embraer E175 – seating 88 passengers, an E170 seating – 70 passengers and an ATR 72-600 also seating 70 passengers.
Air Botswana took delivery of its first Embraer E175, acquired from US aircraft lessor Regional One, on August 30. This aircraft is now in active service.
The two Embraer ERJ 145 aircraft will indeed be real workhorses, operating many routes within Air Botswana’s expanded route network.
REGIONAL ROUTE EXPANSION
The ERJ145 aircraft will enable Air Botswana to scale up its flight schedule and route network.
The airline will deploy the aircraft on numerous routes out of Gaborone, Maun and Kasane.
AIR BOTSWANA ERJ145 AIRCRAFT
Depending on the day and time of service these 50-seater ERJ aircraft will operate flights from Gaborone to Orapa, Francistown, Maun, Johannesburg and Maputo.
They will be used for flights from Maun to Cape Town, Johannesburg, Gaborone and Windhoek.
These aircraft will also operate services from Kasane to Gaborone, Johannesburg, Kruger, Maun and Windhoek.
Air Botswana has a mixed fleet, with aircraft selected to align with passenger demand.
The Embraer ERJ145 is right-sized for a number of Air Botswana’s routes – where demand exists but varies.
