The 18 month-long feasibility study that will determine the future of the Maun International Airport is nearing completion, Christopher Diswai- Director responsible for Engineering and Maintenance at Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB) has revealed.
Undertaken by JS Planning and Design Studio, the study which commenced in the beginning of 2024 will guide the long-term development of the airport over the next 25 years. It will mainly advise on whether further to develop the airport in its existing or alternatively, to relocate the facility with its international status to another spacious place.
As part of the last phase of the engagements instrumental to determining the future of the airport, CAAB recently held a stakeholder meeting in Maun which was attended by people living around the facility, airport operators and community leadership among other delegates.
“So normally we do what is called desktop assessment. We look at the numbers, figures, economics of the facility, the geopolitical impacts and the physical infrastructure. Having gathered all that information, the last stage is coming out with strategic options, whether we continue to stay in Maun where the airport is currently situated or we build a new one elswhere, that’s where we are,” Diswai said emphasizing that the study is towards the tail end.
In a recent interview with state television, the director explained that the inputs from the study will be able to inform the organisation’ submissions in the delayed NDP 12 emphasizing that the proposed development is a long term and large-scale investment.
The proposed transformation has attracted mixed reaction with local communities around the airport calling for its relocation as they complain about the noise of aircrafts as well as the cracking of their buildings. On the other hand, businesses around the airport want it to remain in its current location because they benefit from the proximity.
“But all the stakeholders are in agreement that the airport is not in the capacity to see its growth. They recognise the need for it to be further developed, the only difference is either in its existing location or at an alternative place,” Modipe Nkwe – CAAB Public Affairs Manager emphasized.
Throughout the years Maun International Airport has attracted a substantial amount of passenger movement within Botswana’s aviation landscape. CAAB seeks to explore strategies that will accommodate rapidly increasing interest from international carriers’ whilst also reinforcing the airport as a driver of economic growth and development in the North West region.
The Authority recognizes that any proposal to transform the airport must contribute to the development of the town, as well as contributing to the brand of Maun as the gateway to the Okavango Delta.
The last upgrade of the airport was in 2021 but the authority emphasizes that the development was basically an interim measure as there are still limitations in terms of its capacity. “CAAB is looking to introduce a cargo business at the airport. We are looking for bigger aircrafts to land in Maun but though the runway is long it is however not strong enough,” the authority’s Engineering & Maintenance Director stressed.
Looking at the strategic location of Maun as the gateway to the Okavango Delta and the airport being the busiest in the country, Diswai said there is a lot of funds that needs to be put into the aviation sector in the tourism capital.
