Kasane airport gets facelift

He told BOPA that the tender for consultancy services for design work was awarded in 2006 and the expected completion date is Jan-08. The anticipated improvements will include the expansion of the runway, the provision of runway lighting, buildings, navigational aids and other electrical works, he said.

Mr Moakofi said the entire project would take up to 36 months after the design consultancy. Six months of tendering for construction followed by another 30 months of the actual construction work, he said.

He said the estimated costs for the consultancy project is over USD575,000.

Although the airport meets the international standards, it currently cannot be used at night because of the absence of runway lights. The airport currently caters for planes the size of BAE 146 and not bigger aircrafts like B737s.

Air Botswana commercial manager, Mr Philip Nkokou, said in an interview that at the moment the Gaborone/Kasane Air Botswana route is running satisfactorily. He said last year they used the route only twice a week and the demand has since increased and Air Botswana aircraft fly to Kasane three times weekly. Mr Nkokou said once the project is completed, the airport will be in a position to compete with other airports such as the Livingstone airport in Zambia.