Eswatini Air is all set to launch commercial operations towards the end of March 2023, post securing Foreign Operator Permit (FOP) for Zimbabwe. The airline is still awaiting its FOP from South African Department of Transport, but was assured that the licence would be issued in the coming week.
The airline will start operations on March 26, 2023 with twice daily flights between Manzini King Mswati III International and Johannesburg O.R. Tambo, South Africa. Reservations for flights opened on March 2, 2023.
The airline will start four weekly flights to Harare International, Zimbabwe from April 14, 2023.
This will be followed by alternate day flights to Durban King Shaka, South Africa from May 5, 2023 with flights departing daily from Eswatini in the evening and returning the next day. The airline will also operate a third flight to Johannesburg in the noon.
In the next phase of launch the airline will add thrice weekly flights to Cape Town, South Africa.
“Our schedule is designed to offer connections via our hub, King Mswati III International Airport, for travellers between Durban and Harare as well as between Johannesburg and Harare,” the airline said in a statement.
It secured its air operator certificate (AOC) from the Eswatini Civil Aviation Authority (ESWACAA) in December 2022.
Eswatini Air’s current fleet consists of a pair of Embraer ERJ-145s.