Eswatini Air: New regional airline startup heading to SA

Neighbouring state Swaziland will soon have its own airline again. Eswatini Air will offer flights to three major destinations in South Africa. The airline plans to start scheduled services to South Africa and Zimbabwe in the second half of the year.

Swaziland has been without its own airline since its airline Swaziland Airlink (associated with the privately owned South African airline company Airlink) ceased operations in 2020.  The newly formed Eswatini Air has applied for its Air Operator Certificate, which is expected to be received by the end of March.

Eswatini Air to create job opportunities

Eswatini Air is a division of Royal Eswatini National Airways Corporation (RENAC), an organisation that offers air charter services, ground-handling services and a travel agency.

“Not only will this facilitate trade and tourism development in the country, but will also go a long way in creating job opportunities,” said Captain President Qiniso Dhlamini, CEO of Royal Eswatini National Airways Corporate and Eswatini Air, per Travelnews.

FOCUSING ON REGIONAL NETWORK

The airline’s commercial director, Xavier Mashule (head of commercial at the former Air Namibia) said Eswatini Air’s initial focus would be on a route network covering the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

Eswatini Air will play an important role in driving the country’s tourism efforts by providing connectivity. The airline says it will forge commercial interline partnerships and codeshare agreements with various airlines for extended market access.

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AIRLINE’S INITIAL ROUTES

Eswatini Air will operate two 50-seater Embraer ERJ145 aircraft, selected due to their reliability and proven record in the region. Flights will feature an all-economy class seating.

• The first four routes are direct non-stop services to destinations in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
• Daily flights to Johannesburg and Durban will be offered.
• Flights to Cape Town and Harare will be operated four times a week.