On March 27th, the Kingdom of Eswatini celebrated the launch of its newest airline, Eswatini Air, as it carried out its inaugural flight from King Mswati III International Airport to Johannesburg, South Africa. The event was attended by representatives from the South African and Kingdom of Eswatini governments, as well as aviation industry leaders.
The Kingdom of Eswatini Air was previously known as the Royal Eswatini National Airways Corporation (RENAC). The corporation underwent a rebranding process last year, which included the unveiling of a new trading name and logo. The new symbol, which depicts a bateleur eagle (Ingculungculu), a bird that is part of the Kingdom of Eswatini’s eco-system, was chosen for its symbolism of the airline’s vision and tenacity.
Speaking on the occasion of the inaugural flight, Captain President Qiniso Dhlamini said that as an airline that hailed from the Kingdom of Eswatini, whose sole motive and mandate was to uplift the socio-economic aspirations of the country, the corporate colours of Kingdom of Eswatini Air represented the Kingdom’s national flag, underpinning the airline’s national carrier status. He added that the airline’s slogan, “Everyone must fly”, expressed the company’s commitment towards making air travel services affordable to the people of the Kingdom of Eswatini.
The history of aviation in the Kingdom of Eswatini dates back to the 1930s when the country’s first airport, Matsapha Airport, was built. The airport was constructed by the British colonial government to serve as a military airbase.
After the war, the airport was converted into a civilian airport and underwent significant renovations and upgrades to meet international standards. It was officially opened to the public in 1954 and has since served as the country’s primary airport.
Matsapha Airport has a single runway that measures 2,438 meters in length and is capable of accommodating a variety of aircraft, from small regional jets to larger wide-body planes. The airport is equipped with modern facilities, including a terminal building, customs and immigration services, a restaurant, and a duty-free shop.
In addition to serving domestic flights to and from the capital city of Mbabane and other regional destinations, Matsapha Airport also operates international flights to and from neighbouring countries such as South Africa and Mozambique. The airport is currently undergoing further upgrades to expand its capacity and enhance its operational efficiency.
Over the years, the Kingdom of Eswatini’s aviation industry has seen a few players come and go. In 1999, the country’s national airline, Eswatini Airways, was established. However, the airline ceased operations in 2010 due to financial difficulties. Following the closure of Eswatini Airways, the Kingdom of Eswatini’s aviation sector was left with no national carrier, leaving the market open to foreign airlines.
With the launch of Kingdom of Eswatini Air, the Kingdom of Eswatini’s aviation industry is set to see a revival. The airline plans to operate two flights per day from King Mswati III International Airport (SHO) to Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB). In the future, Kingdom of Eswatini Air plans to expand its operations to other destinations in the region, including Cape Town International Airport and King Shaka International Airport.
The launch of Kingdom of Eswatini Air is expected to have a positive impact on the Kingdom’s economy. The airline’s operations will not only create employment opportunities but will also boost tourism by making air travel more accessible and affordable to both locals and tourists.
The Kingdom of Eswatini Air has expressed its commitment to the development of the Kingdom’s aviation sector and its determination to become a leading player in the industry. With its focus on affordability and accessibility, the airline is well-positioned to meet the needs of the Kingdom’s growing aviation market.
Image Credit: Aboodi Vesakaran / Unsplash
