LUSAKA – It was pomp and ceremony when emaSwati and Zambians combined cultures to launch a new Eswatini Air route connecting the two countries.
The launch was officiated by Minister for Public Works and Transport Chief Ndlaluhlaza Ndwandwe, who was with his counterpart, Zambia’s Minister for Transport and Logistics Frank Tayali.
The two Tourism Ministers from both countries were also part of the event.
The new route will significantly reduce travelling time as it takes only two hours to reach Lusaka from Sikhuphe.
Before the introduction of the route, travellers had to connect airline either in Zimbabwe or the OR Thambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
Financially, passengers will save up to E5 000 due to the fact that the journey has been shortened
This is the fifth route after Johannesburg, Duran, Capetown and Harare.
Though the Lusaka was only launched yesterday, it was announced that it has already been fully booked for passengers coming to Eswatini on Friday.
Minister Ndwandwe said the cooperation that has made the route possible reflects the spirit of African solidarity and mutual benefit that must underpin regional relationships.
“We are grateful to the warmth, openness and professionalism of our Zambian counterparts, and we look forward to opening this partnership in the future,” he said during the welcoming ceremony at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.
Ndwandwe said Eswatini Air is not just an airline but a statement of national identity.
He said it is an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.
Zambia’s Minister for Tourism Rodney Sikumba praised the slogan of Eswatini Air ‘Everyone must fly’.
He then recalled how the concept for the route was started in 2022 when President Hakainde Hichilema visited Eswatini and they had discussions with His Majesty King Mswati III about it.
“This speaks to what we are trying to do in the African Continent – opening up our skies. Fortunately, we do not have visa restrictions between the two countries,” he said.
Minister for Transport and Logistics in Zambia Frank Tayali said the launched route aligns directly with their government’s strategic agenda to position Zambia as a regional aviation hub.
“This offers more efficient and convenient travel. It also brings a direct link between our two economies,” he said.
Tayali said the launch will contribute to an increase in tourism as his government remains steadfast in creating an enabling environment for the aviation industry.
“In the interest of strengthening of regional and international partnership, we need to continue supporting each other,” he said.
He said in order to ensure there are passengers, Zambia is prepared to assist Eswatini Air to go into Nairobi.
“Facilities such as Kenneth Kaunda International Airport remain critical to foster development. There is significant potential for cargo movement between our two countries,” he said.
He applauded Eswatini Air for venturing into Lusaka, adding that it is imperative that aviation promotes development.
“The entry of Eswatini Air is a practical step towards more efficient travel within the region,” he said.
Minister for Tourism and Environmental Affairs in Eswatini Jane Simelane said the new route is poised to stimulate Tourism between the two countries.
She said it would also make it easy for emaSwati to attend important regional and continental meetings without having to fly through South Africa.
Eswatini Air sets sights on Kenyan expansion via Lusaka
LUSAKA – The sky is not the limit for Eswatini Air, which has set its sights on establishing another route from Lusaka to Nairobi, Kenya.
Chairman of the Royal Eswatini National Airways President Qiniso Dhlamini said this is one of the options for further growth and was still at planning stage.
He said he was happy that the Minister for Transport and Logistics in Zambia expressed willingness to assist Eswatini Air, should this idea come to fruition.
“When we get back home, we will start preparing to launch a route by which we will take passengers in Eswatini, go through Lusaka and proceed to Nairobi,” he said.
He further said the interest on the route is high among travellers.
“There are some passengers we travelled with to Zambia, hoping to return home on Friday, but unfortunately they no longer have space as the plane is already fully booked for Friday,” he said.
… honoured with water salute in Lusaka
LUSAKA – Fire engines hosed the Eswatini Air with water when it arrived at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport yesterday.
This is an aviation custom for planes that arrive in new routes, to indicate that they are welcome.
The aircraft was watered before it had parked to offload the passengers.
Passengers on board were excited with the development and clapped hands, some saying Bayethe Wena Waphakathi!
Upon arrival, there was a group of Zambian Government officials and emaSwati studying in Zambia.
The emaSwati entertained the arriving guests with ummiso and ingadla.
Passengers save up to E5 000 on Eswatini Air’s new Lusaka route
LUSAKA – Passengers aboard the first Eswatini Air route to Lusaka made impressive savings of up to E5 000 due to the new route connecting Sikhuphe with Lusaka.
The passengers said they would have not spent less than E6 000 connecting a flight in Johannesburg.
Gcebile Ndlovu said she paid E860 for the flight, and estimates that she saved over E5 000.
She said she was impressed with the hospitality and the professionalism by the staff of the airline.
“Whenever I travel, I will always use this flight,” she said.
Japhet Phiri said he saved E2 000 by travelling directly from the King Mswati III International Airport to the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.
He said it was his first encounter to travel by plane from Eswatini to Zambia, as he usually travelled by road.
Chairman of the Royal Eswatini National Airways (RENAC) Qiniso President Dhlamini said he the passengers were not only making financial savings, but also saved on time.
“They would have first taken a plane to Johannesburg, spending an hour on air. They then would have waited for the flight to Lusaka for about another hour. Before eventually taking a two hour flight,” he said.
Eswatini air glides through clouds on maiden Lusaka flight
LUSAKA – Eswatini Air cruised through minor turbulence as the plane tore though rough clouds while en route to Lusaka from Sikhuphe.
The captain Robert Dlamini had warned passengers that they should remain seated as the plane was approaching what could be turbulence.
However, though the clouds were thick, the aircraft glided steadily through until it reached clear skies again.
The air hostesses also served with a smile and applied professionalism.
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