Monday morning was filled with excitement as the much anticipated first flight of Ethiopian Airlines’ new route connecting Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) and Maun finally made its way from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport to Maun International Airport.
At both airports, there were ceremonies to celebrate the land mark route that is expected to boon tourism and aviation in Botswana’s northwest region – while airline will grow further its profile, ferrying tourists to the world’s renowned Okavango Delta.
With the new route, Ethiopian Airlines International Services, Managing Director, Tekle Haimanot Yohannes said they expect more tourists from Europe, US, North America and Asia to visit Maun. This as the Ethiopian Airlines has also partnered with the Ministry of Environment & Tourism through Botswana Tourism Organisation on a promotion campaign that will market the Maun destination.
“We have been promoting Maun since three months ago and the bookings shows us progress from time to time, so hopefully this route will operate by itself direct from Addis-Ababa to Maun and vice versa very soon. We are pushing for the promotion in Europe, US, Asia and North America and hopefully the market will grow up soon,” Yohannes said in a media brief at Maun International Airport.
With the anticipated increased tourist arrivals, Yohannes is convinced that the number of flights will also be increased from three peer week in the near future. The new route will operate thrice a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays following the schedule, Addis Ababa – Maun – Ndola – Addis Ababa.
“We are starting operation from Addis Ababa to Maun three times a week but this doesn’t mean it will be like that forever. Depending on the market demand, hopefully it will soon grow up and the frequency be increased,” he stressed.
This is also the hope of the Ministry of Transport and Public Works for the number of arrivals to increase from three flights per week to daily operations. Besides that, the hope is also for the return flight to soon not go through Ndola as it is currently the case but to go directly from Maun back to Addis Ababa. With the new developments the ministry is also hopeful that the Maun International Airport will soon lead in the number of passenger arrivals. The airport is already leading other three international airports in profitability.
Meanwhile, the minister of environment and tourism, Dumezweni Mthimkhulu has said the route launch is a significant milestone in the country’s aviation and tourism sectors. He said the launch of this route opens new opportunities for travelers to discover the magic of Maun and the wider Okavango region.
“My Ministry through Botswana Tourism Organisation has partnered with Ethiopian Airlines on a promotion campaign that will propel awareness about the destination further. We therefore wish to thank you Ethiopian Airways for availing your various platforms for this necessary project which is intended to further stimulate travel to Botswana through this route.”
He added that the increase in Air Botswana’s fleet and Ethiopian Airline’s newly added route, creates an added advantage towards the collaboration between international and local airlines to foster growth. The minister stated that collaboration between the two airlines is essential for improving service quality, enhancing competitiveness and creating more value for passengers. “By working together, it will strengthen both their positions and overall sustainability and success of the aviation ecosystem. I am more than excited that Fly Namibia will also be including a direct flight from Windhoek to Maun from the 3rd of July 2024 which will also fly three times a week in Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.”
Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) acting Chief Executive Officer Keitumetse Setlang said by its standard, Ethiopian Airlines is well connected through many routes to the world, which make it easy to bring the world to the Okavango Delta’s door step. This she said will be a boon for tourism in the region. Increased tourist numbers will also lead to some commercial offshoots in the value chain which will grow the economy with more employment opportunities unlocked.
Meanwhile, Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana CEO, Lilly Rakorong appreciated that the development is another milestone in the recovery of the aviation industry after the near crippling effects of the covid 19 pandemic.” The development will not only boost our economy but also provide a seamless regional connectivity for both our inbound and outbound travelers and residents to enjoy incredible breakaways,” she said.
