South African Airways (SAA) has relaunched flights to Botswana’s capital, Gaborone.
The carrier has not operated flights to this destination for almost 3 decades. SAA last operated this route in the 1980s.
SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS RETURNS TO GABORONE
The airline’s first flight to Gaborone (after a long absence) left Johannesburg at 06h50 this morning.
The flightdeck of SA 30 was manned by two lady pilots.
Passengers on the flight were treated to special cupcakes decorated in the colours of the Botswana flag.
On arrival in Gaborone, the aircraft was welcomed with a water cannon salute.
SAA GABORONE SERVICE
South African Airways will operate double daily rotations on the route. It serves his route with an Airbus A320 aircraft.
The morning service (SA 30) departs Johannesburg at 06h50 and arrives in Gaborone at 07h45.
The return flight (SA 31) departs Gaborone at 08h25 and arrives in Johannesburg at 09h25.
The afternoon service (SA 38) departs Johannesburg at 16h25 and arrives in Gaborone at 17h20.
The return flight (SA 39) departs Gaborone at 18h00 and arrives in Johannesburg at 19h00.
A SHORT SAA FLIGHT
Gaborone is indeed the shortest route South African Airways offers in its route network.
The distance between Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport (South African Airway’s hub) and Gaborone’s Sir Seretse Khama International Airport is just over 300 kilometres.
Flying time for the Airbus A320 operated service is around 30 minutes.
Block time for this South African Airways service is only 55 minutes to Gaborone but 1 hour returning to Johannesburg.
SAA is not the only carrier offering scheduled flights on this route.
Services between Johannesburg and Gaborone are also offered by Botswana’s national carrier, Air Botswana, and South Africa’s private airline, Airlink.
Air Botswana operates several frequencies each day on this routing, with Embraer ERJ 145 or ATR 72 aircraft.
Airlink offers daily flights on the route, with various Embraer aircraft.
ALSO READ: Smaller SAA contributes to Johannesburg’s reduced airport hub status
