Airlink has withdrawn flights between Cape Town and Gaborone after contravening Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana regulations.
Cape Town - Independent carrier Airlink has apologised to the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana for prematurely announcing flights between Cape Town and Gaborone.
The apology comes after the aviation authority noted with concern the advertisement for Airlink-scheduled flights between the two destinations, and the sale of the flight tickets.
Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana spokesperson, Modipe Chris Nkwe, said the airline was not permitted to fly the route.
“The airline’s acts contravene Regulations 5 and 7 of the Civil Aviation (Licensing of Air Services) Regulations, 2012.
“Consequently, the authority has fined Airlink (Pty) Ltd for violating these regulations,” he said.
As per the act, Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana is tasked with overseeing airport management, supplying air navigation services, regulating air transportation, and counselling the government on matters about civil aviation.
It has also been requested that Airlink stop selling tickets and remove all marketing on the Gaborone to Cape Town route immediately.
Nkwe said: “The authority’s role is to protect consumers and the public by encouraging compliance with civil aviation regulations. Issues of non-compliance are taken seriously and addressed severely.”
Airlink has withdrawn the flights from the reservations system upon receiving the Botswana CAA’s letter.
According to Airlink’s chief executive and managing director, Rodger Foster, there was an oversight on Airlink’s part to offer seats for sale prematurely, and they will remedy this.
He said although Airlink holds a valid foreign operator permit to provide air services between South Africa and Botswana, the process of getting this particular route – included on the permit – was still being finalised.
“Airlink has been a long-standing supporter and enabler of Botswana’s economic growth, by helping it promote and connect Gaborone, Maun and Kasane, which are important tourism and business destinations with international markets,” Foster said.
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) confirmed they were aware of the concern over the advertisement.
“We advise that you further engage the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana and Airlink,” ACSA said.
Air Botswana, meanwhile, announced higher frequencies on its route between Cape Town and Gaborone on the same day the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana issued a warning on Airlink.
The airline started operating again from Francistown, Johannesburg, Kasane and Maun.
Lulu Rasebotsa, chief executive officer of Air Botswana, said they were excited because the new additions were popular destinations for business and tourism.
“We are also excited that this strategic move is directly linked to the airline’s expansion plans and sustainability,” she said.
Foster added that they looked forward to extending the mutually beneficial relationship and enhancing Botswana’s connections with the world through Johannesburg and Cape Town.
The tickets that customers bought for travel between Gaborone and Cape Town will be re-routed via Johannesburg.