Airlink (South Africa) (4Z, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo) has apologised to the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB) for prematurely announcing flights between Cape Town International and Gaborone after the regulator fined the South African carrier for advertising flights before they were authorised. The size of the fine was not disclosed.
Airlink said it immediately withdrew the flights from its reservations system when it was notified by the CAAB.
"It was an oversight on Airlink's part to offer seats for sale prematurely, and we will remedy this. Although Airlink holds a valid foreign operator's permit (FOP) to provide air services between South Africa and Botswana, the process of getting this particular route included on the permit is still being finalised," explained CEO and Managing Director Rodger Foster. "Airlink is designated by South Africa's aeronautical authorities and licenced by them to operate up to seven flights a week between Cape Town and Gaborone."
The CAAB said it had instructed Airlink to immediately withdraw all advertisements for the Gaborone-Cape Town route and cease ticket sales.
