BP (Air Botswana) GBE-HRE and FN (FastJet Zimbabwe) HRE-VFA
Jun 12, 2016, 10:06 pm
#1
Original Poster
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BP (Air Botswana) GBE-HRE and FN (FastJet Zimbabwe) HRE-VFA
I don't usually put together trip reports, but I hope this report is useful for those traveling around Africa, and on these less commonly reported airlines. This report is mainly informative, there's nothing luxurious, adventurous, or suspenseful in this report (if that's what you're looking for). I hope those who read it will enjoy and find it useful.
Trip starts in Gaborone, Botswana on Air Botswana to Harare, Zimbabwe. This is a tiny airline with only ATR and Avro in its fleet.
BP264
GBE-HRE
ATR42
Dep: 1430 (original) 1630 (change, was notified 2 weeks ahead)
Arr: 1640 (original) 1820 (new)
Check-in and Departure Hall
Elephant made of ivory
Gate Area
FIDS
Nthula Lounge (Priority Pass Lounge). Air Botswana also has its own Pula Lounge (didn't take a pic)
Air Botswana ATR42
Take-off
In the air
Inflight Magazine
Snack Box, along with complementary drinks, beer, and wine
Landing was dark, and nothing around HRE.
On the ground at HRE, with EK 777 pushing back to LUN then DXB.
That's the end of the 1st segment.
Trip starts in Gaborone, Botswana on Air Botswana to Harare, Zimbabwe. This is a tiny airline with only ATR and Avro in its fleet.
BP264
GBE-HRE
ATR42
Dep: 1430 (original) 1630 (change, was notified 2 weeks ahead)
Arr: 1640 (original) 1820 (new)
Check-in and Departure Hall
Elephant made of ivory
Gate Area
FIDS
Nthula Lounge (Priority Pass Lounge). Air Botswana also has its own Pula Lounge (didn't take a pic)
Air Botswana ATR42
Take-off
In the air
Inflight Magazine
Snack Box, along with complementary drinks, beer, and wine
Landing was dark, and nothing around HRE.
On the ground at HRE, with EK 777 pushing back to LUN then DXB.
That's the end of the 1st segment.
Jun 12, 2016, 10:29 pm
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
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Posts: 2,509
FN (Fastjet Zimbabwe) HRE-VFA
The 2nd segment is Harare, Zimbabwe to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe on Fastjet Zimbabwe. This airline only has 1 plane, A319 in its fleet. Although the larger company (Fastjet Tanzania) has a few more.
FN8001
HRE-VFA
Airbus A319
Dep: 1120
Arr: 1230
Harare Airport (International Terminal)
Harare Airport (Domestic Terminal)
Departure Hall
Gate Area. There's a lounge at the back, but not Priority Pass, and not really sure who has access.
I was quite excited to see this Air Zimbabwe MA60 (made by Avic, Chinese manufacturer) . Very rare to see one of these, since they're not certified by the FAA or EASA. This plane was also headed to VFA, departing 20min before my flight.
My plane, just arriving from DAR. This plane is also named "Cecil the Lion".
Boarding
Take-off
In flight magazine and BoB menu
In the air
The plane's previous Indian owner.
Landing, the plane flew past the Victoria Falls.
On the ground
The plane I just saw an hour ago
VFA Airport
I found both airlines perfectly fine. Air Botswana used a local cockpit crew, with a female pilot. Fastjet cockpit crew were foreigners, I believe one British and one Italian pilot. Both airlines were friendly and very professional. I hope this report is informative and helps anyone who's planning a trip to the area.
FN8001
HRE-VFA
Airbus A319
Dep: 1120
Arr: 1230
Harare Airport (International Terminal)
Harare Airport (Domestic Terminal)
Departure Hall
Gate Area. There's a lounge at the back, but not Priority Pass, and not really sure who has access.
I was quite excited to see this Air Zimbabwe MA60 (made by Avic, Chinese manufacturer) . Very rare to see one of these, since they're not certified by the FAA or EASA. This plane was also headed to VFA, departing 20min before my flight.
My plane, just arriving from DAR. This plane is also named "Cecil the Lion".
Boarding
Take-off
In flight magazine and BoB menu
In the air
The plane's previous Indian owner.
Landing, the plane flew past the Victoria Falls.
On the ground
The plane I just saw an hour ago
VFA Airport
I found both airlines perfectly fine. Air Botswana used a local cockpit crew, with a female pilot. Fastjet cockpit crew were foreigners, I believe one British and one Italian pilot. Both airlines were friendly and very professional. I hope this report is informative and helps anyone who's planning a trip to the area.
Jun 13, 2016, 2:38 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Dubai
Posts: 3,301
The ivory elephant sculpture looks very cool
. And the control tower at HRE!
I was reading once about how Air Botswana lost its entire fleet after a suicidal pilot destroyed all three of their ATR's
!
. And the control tower at HRE!I was reading once about how Air Botswana lost its entire fleet after a suicidal pilot destroyed all three of their ATR's
!
Jun 23, 2016, 8:45 pm
#11
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Posts: 33,857
Nice to see a trip report from airlines rarely represented here, thank you for posting it!
Incidentally, I flew Air Botswana in 2000 when they were using leased aircraft due to the destruction of their fleet by a mad pilot. Nice to see they're still around.
Incidentally, I flew Air Botswana in 2000 when they were using leased aircraft due to the destruction of their fleet by a mad pilot. Nice to see they're still around.