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Phillip Gaonwe Matante International Airport

Francistown, Botswana

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Phillip Gaonwe Matante International Airport

Francistown, Botswana
Explore Francistown city guide Navigate to this airport
2
Routes out
2
Destinations
FBPM
ICAO
3283 ft
Elevation
TravelerPulse profile

Botswana's second-largest international gateway serving the north.

Location
Francistown, Botswana
Phillip Gaonwe Matante International Airport, designated by IATA code FRW and ICAO code FBPM, serves Francistown, Botswana's second-largest city. The airport plays a vital role in connecting northern Botswana to the capital, Gaborone, and to regional destinations across southern Africa. The airport was renamed in honor of Phillip Gaonwe Matante, a prominent Botswana politician and civil rights activist. It handles both domestic and limited international traffic, supporting trade, tourism, and regional connectivity for the Francistown area. The facility is operated under the Botswana Civil Aviation Authority and serves as an important hub for flights linking northern Botswana to neighboring countries such as Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Terminals
The airport operates with a single terminal building handling both domestic and international passengers.
Getting to & from
Ground transport into Francistown city center is primarily available via taxis and private vehicles, as no formal public bus service directly connects the airport to the city.
Airlines here
Air Botswana has historically been the primary carrier operating scheduled services at Francistown Airport.
Notable facts
  • ›The airport is named after Phillip Gaonwe Matante, a notable Botswana independence-era politician and activist.
  • ›Francistown is Botswana's second-largest city, making this airport the country's second busiest.
  • ›The airport supports both domestic routes to Gaborone and limited regional international services.
  • ›The facility falls under the oversight of the Botswana Civil Aviation Authority.
  • ›Its location in northeastern Botswana makes it a strategic access point near the Zimbabwe border.
Wikipedia
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
Gateway to Botswana's second city amid vast Kalahari landscapes

Phillip Gaonwe Matante International Airport serves Francistown, Botswana's second-largest city and a historic commercial hub in the northeast of the country. Named after a prominent Botswana independence activist and politician, the airport connects the region to Gaborone and limited regional destinations. It plays a modest but important role in linking the mineral-rich northeastern corridor to the rest of southern Africa.

Terminals
  • Main Terminal — A single compact terminal handling all domestic and limited regional passenger operations with basic check-in and arrival facilities.
Ground Transport
  • Taxis available outside the terminal for city-centre transfers
  • Private car hire arrangements through local operators
  • Hotel shuttle services offered by select Francistown properties
  • Self-drive rental cars available through local agencies on request
Nearby Hotels
  • Cresta Thapama Hotel
  • Grand Lodge Francistown
  • Marang Hotel
  • Woodlands Stop Over
Dining

In-terminal food and beverage options are limited, reflecting the airport's small scale, so travellers are advised to eat before arrival. Francistown's city centre, a short taxi ride away, offers a broader range of restaurants, fast-food outlets, and local eateries. The Blue Jacket Street area in town is a popular spot for casual dining.

Traveller Tips
  • Confirm your flight timing directly with Air Botswana or your carrier as schedules can change with little notice.
  • Arrange airport transfers in advance as taxis are not always plentiful outside peak hours.
  • Carry local pula currency as card facilities at the airport and some transport providers may be unreliable.
  • Allow extra time if travelling onward to Zimbabwe or Zambia by road, as border crossings can involve queues.
Official website

AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.

Route map (2 destinations)

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO

Airlines serving this airport

Air Botswana
BP

Routes

FRW → GBEBP · AT7 AT5
FRW → JNBBP · AT7
Hotels near FRW

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Passport, Visa & Immigration

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Phillip Gaonwe Matante International Airport
Encyclopaedia

Phillip Gaonwe Matante International Airport, also known as Francistown International Airport, serves Francistown, Botswana. The public airport, which caters to both commercial and national military's aircraft, is on the western edge of the city. The airport was named after Philip Matante.

Read full article on Wikipedia