Eswatini Airlink to end operations after 23 years
Eswatini Airlink is a joint venture between the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini and South Africa's Airlink. It was established in 1999 to provide air services to the Kingdom after the closure of Royal Swazi National Airways.
On 14 April 2022, the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini and the South African private carrier Airlink mutually agreed to dissolve Eswatini Airlines. The airline will cease operations from 1 June 2022.
"Through our jointly owned and operated company Eswatini Airlink, we have enjoyed a long and mutually successful partnership linking Eswatini to the world through OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa. However, as the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini has recently re-established a national airline, we have jointly and amicably agreed to terminate Eswatini Airlink's operations in an orderly manner to avoid disruption and inconvenience to our customers," explained Airlink's CEO and Managing Director, Rodger Foster. "We are committed to returning every Eswatini Airlink worker to the Airlink workforce, thereby guaranteeing their jobs," he added.
Eswatini Airlink currently operates several daily flights between Johannesburg and King Mswati III International Airport in Sikhupe.
"Over the past 23 years, Eswatini Airlink has provided the Kingdom of Eswatini with efficient air services and helped to connect our economy to those of the whole of Southern Africa and beyond. However, we have decided to take the opportunity presented by the post-COVID reboot and recovery to launch a new, wholly-owned Eswatini carrier and usher in a new era of competition," said Eswatini Minister of Works and Transport, Chief Ndlaluhlaza Ndwandwe.
From 1 June, South Africa-based Airlink and the Kingdom's new national carrier, Eswatini Air, will respectively provide scheduled air services between Johannesburg and King Mswati III International Airport, offering travellers to and from Eswatini greater choice. Competitive air transport services in this market will help promote and develop trade, tourism and other economic opportunities, the government says.
In an interview with Aviadev Insight Africa in March, Eswatini Air's commercial director Xavier Masule (former CEO of Air Namibia) said the young carrier is expected to start operations with a fleet of two Embraer E145s (ex-Hop!). In addition to Johannesburg, its route network will initially include three regional routes, namely Durban and Cape Town in South Africa and Harare in Zimbabwe.