Eswatini Airlink was established in 1999 to provide air services for the Kingdom after
Royal Swazi National Airways stopped operating. This was facilitated through an
agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini and Airlink South
Africa.
On 14 April 2022, the Kingdom of Eswatini Government and Airlink, the joint
shareholders, mutually agreed to dissolve their joint venture airline business, Eswatini
Airlink, which will cease operations from 01 June 2022.
Eswatini Airlink currently operates multiple daily services between Johannesburg and
Sikhuphe’s King Mswati III International Airport,
“Through our jointly owned and operated Eswatini Airlink business, we have enjoyed
a long and mutually successful partnership connecting Eswatini to the world through
the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa. However, as the
Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini recently re-established a national airline, we
have jointly and amicably agreed to discontinue Eswatini Airlink’s operations in an
orderly manner to avoid any disruption and inconvenience to our customers. Airlink
will seamlessly continue providing the service, and most importantly, we are offering
to re-employ every Eswatini Airlink staff member with Airlink, thereby securing their
jobs,” explained Airlink CEO and Managing Director, Rodger Foster.“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 advantage of the opportunity that the
post-COVID restart and recovery presents, to launch a new, wholly-Eswatini owned
carrier and usher in a new era of competition,” said Eswatini’s Minister for Public Works
and Transport, Chief Ndlaluhlaza Ndwandwe.
From 01 June, South African-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, giving travellers to and from Eswatini greater
choice. Healthy competitive air transport services in this market will help to promote
and develop trade, tourism and other economic opportunities.
