Royal Eswatini National Airways reveals fleet, route plans

Eswatini Air secures its AOC, preps for launch

Eswatini Air (Manzini King Mswati III International) has received its air operator's certificate (AOC) and plans to announce a launch date as soon as it has secured the necessary foreign operator permits (FOPs) from South Africa and Zimbabwe.

This has been announced by state-owned parent Royal Eswatini National Airways (RENAC). "The next step is to obtain related operating permits from aeronautical authorities of the foreign countries we plan to operate to, and soon thereafter, a date for commencement of our operations will be announced", said RENAC Chief Executive Officer Qiniso Dhlamini.

As reported, a protracted certification process with the Eswatini Civil Aviation Authority (ESWACAA) had delayed Eswatini Air's planned debut in June 2022.

Initial destinations to be served from the Southern African kingdom's Manzini King Mswati III International - using two ex-HOP! (France) 50-seater EMB-145EPs bought from Air France - include Durban King Shaka, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo and Cape Town in South Africa, and Harare International, Zimbabwe. The aircraft underwent maintenance in...

Eswatini Air delays launch as certification drags on

Eswatini Air readies for late 2Q22 debut

Eswatini Airlink to cease operations in late 2Q22

Eswatini Airlink (Manzini Matsapha) - a joint venture between the Kingdom of Eswatini and Airlink (South Africa) (4Z, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo) - will cease operating on June 1, 2022, after the parties mutually agreed to dissolve the 23-year-old joint venture airline.

In a statement, the shareholders announced the April 14 decision was made jointly and amicably following the government’s recent re-establishment of a wholly-Eswatini owned national airline, - Eswatini Air, the new regional airline brand of state-owned Royal Eswatini National Airways (RENAC).

From June 1, 2022, Airlink and the new Eswatini Air will compete in providing scheduled air services between Johannesburg O.R. Tambo, South Africa and Manzini King Mswati III International.

As reported, the new state carrier plans to debut on Southern African regional routes using two EMB-145EPs.

“For the past 23 years, Eswatini Airlink has provided the Kingdom of Eswatini with vital air services and helped to connect our economy with those throughout Southern Africa and beyond. However, we have decided to take...