Eswatini Air (RN, Manzini King Mswati III International) has wet leased an E145 from Namibia's Westair Aviation (WAA, Windhoek Eros) for at least two months while one of its own regional jets undergoes scheduled heavy maintenance, commercial director Getaneh Desta Woldemichael has confirmed to ch-aviation.

He said the airline's own E145, 3DC-EAB (msn 145152), has been sent for a scheduled C-check, with the carrier bringing in V5-WEJ (msn 145342) under an ACMI agreement to maintain operations.

ADS-B data shows that 3DC-EAB was ferried from Manzini King Mswati III International to Johannesburg O.R. Tambo on July 2. V5-WEJ arrived from Windhoek Eros in Manzini the following day and immediately took over the scheduled flights to Johannesburg, Durban King Shaka, and Cape Town International. The aircraft usually operates schedules under Westair's FlyNamibia brand.

Woldemichael said the ACMI arrangement is expected to cover eight weeks, although ongoing supply chain constraints could extend the maintenance period.

He added that the wet lease was also chosen because Eswatini Air has flight deck crew holding Namibian licences who can serve as co-pilots on the aircraft.

"Part of the reason this was selected is because we have flight deck crew with Namibian licences and they can operate as co-pilots, and this helps us reduce accommodation and per diem costs while allowing us to use our existing resources," Woldemichael said.

Eswatini Air operates two company-owned E145s, covering South Africa, Harare International (Zimbabwe), and Lusaka (Zambia).