After much deliberation, the government of the Kingdom of Eswatini and Airlink, the joint owners, have amicably decided to terminate their joint venture airline firm, Eswatini Airlink.
From June 1, 2022, all operations will be suspended.
In 1999, Eswatini Airlink was founded to offer air transportation services for the Kingdom of Swaziland when Royal Swazi National Airways ceased operations. This was made possible as a result of an agreement reached between the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini and Airlink Southern Africa.
In our jointly owned and controlled Eswatini Airlink company, we have had a long and mutually successful collaboration in linking Eswatini to the rest of the globe via OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa. ” However, in light of the recent re-establishment of a national airline by the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini, we have mutually and amicably agreed to phase out the operations of Eswatini Airlink in a planned and orderly manner in order to avoid any disruption and inconvenience to our customers. As a result, Airlink will smoothly continue to provide the service. Most significantly, we are willing to re-hire any Eswatini Airlink employee who wishes to remain with the company, so ensuring their job security,” said Rodger Foster, CEO and managing director of Airlink.
“For the last 23 years, Eswatini Airlink has supplied critical aviation services to the Kingdom of Eswatini, allowing it to better connect with the rest of Southern Africa and the rest of the world.” According to Eswatini’s Minister for Public Works and Transport, Chief Ndlaluhlaza Ndwandwe, “we have chosen to take use of the opportunity that the post-COVID restart and recovery affords in order to create a new, wholly-Eswatini owned carrier and herald in a new era of competition.”
From the first of June, regular flight services between Johannesburg and King Mswati III International Airport will be provided by Airlink, a South African airline, and Eswatini Air, the Kingdom’s new national carrier. This will give more options for travelers to and from Eswatini.
