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From 6 July 2006, a graphic version of the current edition is available at the Daily News Online web site.

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The second-hand aircraft, which landed at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport on December 20 after a flight from Kemble Airfield near Bristol, went straight into service.

During its Trans-Atlantic flight, the jet made one refueling stop in Algeria and two overnight stops in Lagos and Luanda. At the controls during the crossover to Botswana were Air Botswana pilots, Captain Hastings Mulenga and Senior First Officer Sonny Moje. Engineering Manager Clerk Moroka and Maintenance Supervisor, Peter Keikotlhaile accompanied them.

The 75-seater aircraft is expected to ply most AB routes, especially the Johannesburg, Cape Town and Maun routes.

Before coming to Air Botswana, the aircraft did duty in Australia and was returned to British Aerospace (BAe) in time for a lease contract with Air Botswana.

In an interview with BOPA, Air Botswanas Brand Manager Kago Mmopi said the aircraft would alleviate problems they experienced with their fleet recently and restore flagging customer confidence in Air Botswana service.

Mmopi said the aircraft was coming in as part of the airlines prior business plan to lease an aircraft to reduce the problem of regular aircraft breakdown that hit Air Botswana in recent months.

The latter problems caused the airline to cut the frequency and distance of some of its regular routes towards the end of 2005.

The national airline was also planning to refurbish and increase its fleet with new aircraft to be bought by the end of the year or early next year as part of Air Botswanas five-year strategic business plan.

He said it was cheaper and convenient for Air Botswana to lease and not to buy new aircraft to deal with its latest problems as is common with other aviation companies.

The latest aircraft was refurbished before delivery and has new leather seats carpeting and interior and was painted in Air Botswanas distinctive zebra livery. It also received some engineering work.

Mmopi said the company was not at liberty to share the information on rental money with the news media.

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