Eswatini Air phases out hard cash payments
By Siphesihle Dlamini
Eswatini Air has formally announced the termination of hard-cash payments across all its reservation offices and airport counters, a move the national carrier says is designed to improve safety, efficiency, and customer convenience.
The change, which will become effective on 20 November 2025, is part of the airline’s broader strategy to modernise its operations and align itself with global aviation standards.
In a public notice issued to travellers, the airline stated plainly that “effective 20 November 2025, Eswatini Air will no longer accept hard cash payments for any of our services in all our reservations offices including airports.”
The statement emphasised that customers must now rely on digital options such as EFTs, card payments, and mobile money when purchasing tickets or accessing airline services.
Management explained that the move is rooted in an ongoing effort to enhance operational safety and reduce the risks associated with handling physical cash.
The airline noted that transitioning to electronic payments not only increases efficiency but also streamlines customer flow at busy service points, reducing delays and minimising human error.
In the statement, the company highlighted that the decision forms part of its “ongoing efforts to enhance safety, efficiency, and convenience for all our customers.”
The airline further encouraged travellers to adopt digital platforms, saying directly, “We kindly encourage you to make use of the available digital payment options, including EFTs, card payments, and mobile money platforms, when purchasing our services.”
Eswatini Air indicated that these platforms are growing more accessible and reliable nationwide, making them suitable replacements for cash, especially within an industry increasingly driven by technology and efficiency.
Eswatini Air’s management also expressed appreciation for public cooperation, writing, “We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we work to improve your travel experience.”
The airline suggested that ending cash payments is a necessary step toward delivering faster, more secure, and more modern services to customers.
Several airlines have pioneered innovative electronic payment methods to enhance customer convenience. United Airlines was the first to introduce PayPal QR codes for in-flight payments, enabling purely electronic transactions onboard.
JetBlue led the way by accepting Venmo for flight payments, leveraging the popular peer-to-peer payment platform.
Avelo Airlines became the first U.S. carrier to partner with PayPal to offer the ‘Pay in 4’ option, allowing customers to split their flight costs into four interest-free instalments.
Meanwhile, Corsair distinguished itself as the first French airline to accept cryptocurrency for ticket payments through a collaboration with BitPay.