Air Botswana loses 10 ATR pilots to Middle Eastern airlines

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Air Botswana loses 10 ATR pilots to Middle Eastern airlines

#1 Post by ian16th » Mon Mar 13, 2017 1:35 pm

From African Pilot Aviation News
Botswana’s troubled flag carrier Air Botswana has confirmed the mass resignation of pilots, with at least 10 having resigned to take up the opportunities arising from the high demand for Any Type Rated (ATR) pilots among major airlines in the Middle East. The loss of at least four Captains and six First Officers came as the airline continued to battle against an internal financial crisis, the uncertainty presented by an ongoing privatisation process and labour unrest arising from disgruntlement over low pay.

Last month, the government of Botswana invited Expressions Of Interest (EOI) from companies interested in taking over and running the airline in line with its privatisation plans. The invitation of EOI froze all pre-planned expenditures, including a 17% pay hike that was calculated to stop the exodus of ATR pilots to Middle Eastern airlines. Some of the former Air Botswana pilots are reportedly headed for Saudi Airlines and Fly Dubai. A few may be headed for regional competitors including South African Airlink (SAA) as well as a host of emerging private operators.
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Re: Air Botswana loses 10 ATR pilots to Middle Eastern airlines

#2 Post by Capetonian » Mon Mar 13, 2017 1:44 pm

At least they didn't kamikaze the rest of the fleet as in 1999.

Suicide pilot destroys Air Botswana fleet
The crash destroyed three ATR-42s

An Air Botswana pilot has crashed his plane in an apparent suicide mission, destroying all but one of the airline's fleet.

The pilot, Chris Phatswe, took off from Gabarone's Sir Seretse Khama airport on Monday and circled in an empty ATR-42 for almost two hours.

Officials said he radioed the control tower and announced: "I intend to kill myself."

There followed a desperate conversation between the emotional pilot and Botswanan officials in the tower. Deputy commander of Botswana's Defence Force, General Tobogo Masire, led efforts to talk Phatswe down.

As the plane ran short of fuel, Phatswe threatened to crash it into an Air Botswana office building to settle an apparent grudge with the airline's management. The pilot had demanded to speak to Botswana's Vice-President Ian Khama and "was about to be put through to his office when the plane ran out of fuel," said Air Botswana general manager Joshua Galeforolwe. It was unclear what Phatswe's demands might have been.

After being told by the control tower that there were people in the Air Botswana building, Phatswe crashed the plane into two other ATR-42s on the tarmac, destroying the aircraft and himself in a fireball. There were no other casualties, Botswana's Department of Civil Aviation said.

Phatswe had been grounded due to ill health, and took the plane without permission.

"He was grounded because in the view of Air Botswana he was unfit to fly," said John Williams, the national carrier's commercial manager.

He refused to elaborate on the reasons for the decision until an inquiry is complete. Sources quoted by Reuters news agency said that Phatswe had repeatedly warned airport authorities that he was going to kill himself. A private pilot at the airport quoted by the Agence France Press news agency said security was very lax and that it would have been easy for the pilot to gain access to the aircraft.

Air Botswana operations have been crippled, as the airline only has one plane left - a BAe-146 which is grounded with technical problems. There was panic in the airport terminal where about 50 passengers in the terminal waiting for flights to Johannesburg, Harare and the Botswanan town of Francistown. They were evacuated as Phatswe circled overhead and buzzed airport buildings.

"He was going over and over. Airport staff chased everybody out. I hid behind a counter," said one passenger.

All flights were cancelled due to lack of serviceable aircraft.

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Re: Air Botswana loses 10 ATR pilots to Middle Eastern airlines

#3 Post by Ex-Ascot » Tue Mar 14, 2017 12:27 pm

We have of course flown Air Bots many times. We now fly Airlink to JNB.

I have serious doubts over safety standards with Air Bots. This latest situation will result in more low hour pilots being recruited. We are awash with low hour bush pilots due to immigration restrictions and the new flying school in Gabs churning out airborne taxi drivers.

Not sure how many crews Air Bots have but they only have about 4 operational aircraft and don't operate at night so not many. 10 pilots is a big dent in their flight deck manning.
'Yes, Madam, I am drunk, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly.' Sir Winston Churchill.

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