Air Botswana (BP, Gaborone) is planning to reduce its labour force by a total of around 100 employees over the coming months Botswana's Kitso Mokaila, Minister of Transport and Communications, has told the country's parliament.

According to the Agence de Presse Africaine news service, Mokaila said on Monday that fifty-two staff were removed last year through voluntary attrition. An internal consultative process is to be completed before the next fifty staff are removed, he added.

The loss-making state-owned carrier is currently undergoing a restructuring programme aimed at cutting excess costs. Aside from layoffs, Air Botswana has also cut unprofitable routes from its network including Harare International and Lusaka.

Earlier this month, government requested interested parties to submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) concerning possible partnerships with Air Botswana.