Etsha Airport

The closure was the result of economic and logistical obsolescence. The primary reasons include:
1. **Infrastructure Consolidation:** The development and upgrading of nearby airports, particularly Gumare Airport (FBGM) to the south and Shakawe Airport (FBSW) to the north, which have paved runways and better facilities, consolidated regional air traffic.
2. **Lack of Maintenance:** As a basic, unpaved strip, it required regular upkeep. Without a dedicated operator (like a specific safari lodge or government department) to fund its maintenance, the runway surface deteriorated, becoming unsafe for aircraft operations.
3. **Improved Ground Access:** Gradual improvements to the road network in Botswana's Ngamiland District reduced the critical reliance on air transport for basic administrative, medical, and supply purposes for the Etsha communities.

The site is an abandoned airfield. The former runway is still clearly identifiable from satellite imagery, but it is in a state of complete disrepair. The unpaved surface is heavily overgrown with grass and shrubs and is bisected by numerous informal vehicle tracks created by local traffic. There are no remaining airport infrastructure, such as buildings, hangars, or navigational aids. The land is effectively derelict and is not being used for any formal agricultural, residential, or commercial purpose.

Etsha Airport was a rudimentary but vital dirt airstrip serving the remote villages on the western panhandle of the Okavango Delta, most notably Etsha 6 and Etsha 13. During its active period, it primarily handled light charter aircraft, such as the Cessna 206, Cessna 210, and Britten-Norman Islander. Its operations were crucial for:
- **Government and Administrative Services:** Providing access for government officials to the remote communities.
- **Medical Evacuation and Services:** Used by Botswana's 'flying doctors' service to provide healthcare and emergency transport.
- **Tourism:** Served as an early access point for safari operators and tourists venturing into the western part of the Delta before more established tourism hubs were developed.
It played a significant role in connecting the isolated Etsha settlements to the rest of the country for essential services.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening Etsha Airport. The existence of superior, all-weather airports at Gumare and Shakawe makes the rehabilitation of this small, dirt strip economically unjustifiable. Any future aviation requirements for tourism or government services in this specific area would be routed through the existing, better-maintained airports. Reopening would require a significant new economic driver, such as a major new luxury lodge built in its immediate vicinity, which is not currently planned.