Botswana's national carrier, Air Botswana (BP), has put up one of its ATR72-500 aircraft for sale. Delivered new in 2009, (MSN: 788 | A2-ABS) is powered by
2 x PWC PW127F power-plants.
"Airstream International Group is pleased to announce that it has been appointed on an exclusive basis by Air Botswana to remarket for sale an . Fitted with PW127M engines and manufactured in 2009, serial number 788 has been operated by Air Botswana since new. It is available for immediate delivery."
The sale is part of Air Botswana's fleet
renewal programme which will see it replacing its turboprop ATRs with
Bae146/Avro RJs, of which two have already been arrived. The selection of the Avro RJs was driven by the fact that Air Botswana currently
operates this type hence has the engineering capacity, spares support
as well as flight operational capacity support necessary.
In September, Air Botswana embarked on an ambitious expansion program by launching several new regional routes that will see it operating to as far afield as Nairobi. The new strategy is aimed at turning the airline into a force to reckon with regionally and internationally.
Last year, the carrier allured to the possible launch of long haul routes in June 2013 with the most likely long haul destinations, in order of anticipated demand and implementation, set to be: London (UK), Dubai; India; Hong Kong and/or China.
