By Bahle Gama
As the country’s airline service, Eswatini Air celebrates one year of service since its launch, the company is looking forward to venturing into other areas of operation.
On March 26, 2023, Eswatini Air took its first historic flight, marking a new chapter in the country’s aviation industry.
The airline’s arrival signified a giant leap forward for Eswatini and not only provided a much-needed boost to connectivity but also positioned the country as a key player in the regional aviation landscape.
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According to Eswatini Air, the airline has played a crucial role in facilitating business travel, enhancing tourism, and connecting Eswatini to the world.
In an interview with Eswatini TV, Royal Eswatini National Airways Corporation (RENAC) Acting CEO Ndumiso Shongwe extended appreciation to emaSwati for supporting the airline since its launch.
He stated that going forward, the airline is looking at ways to maintain its service delivery whilst being on air, “because the plane only makes money when it continues to fly.”
He stated that what remains a major priority at the moment is operational costs, which he said to contain them the company needs to diversify its products and services.
“We are looking into how we can venture into cargo, maintaining services and training within the country instead of outsourcing. Our main goal is to always be in the sky,” he said.
Shongwe further stated that when Eswatini Air was launched, the company explained to the government and the nation that it was not expecting to be successful in the first year.
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He said just like many airlines, Eswatini Air projected the break-even point to be in three years, when the company will begin to say it is working and fully independent.
“What stands out the most for us is the support we are receiving from emaSwati who continue to use the airline, and this is very encouraging to the company,” Shongwe said.
Since its launch last year, Eswatini Air has transported 28,000 passengers to four major places respectively.
These are Durban, Harare, Johannesburg, and Cape Town.
