Eswatini Air secures its AOC, preps for launch

Eswatini Air has received its air operator's certificate and plans to announce a launch date as soon as it has secured the necessary foreign operator permits from South Africa and Zimbabwe. This has been announced by state-owned parent Royal Eswatini National Airways. "The next step is to obtain related operating permits from aeronautical authorities of the foreign countries we plan to operate to, and soon thereafter, a date for commencement of our operations will be announced", said RENAC CEO Qiniso Dhlamini. As reported, a protracted certification process with the Eswatini Civil Aviation Authority had delayed Eswatini Air's planned debut in June 2022. Initial destinations to be served from the Southern African kingdom's Manzini King Mswati III Int'l - using two ex-HOP! (France) 50-seater EMB-145EPs bought from Air France - include Durban King Shaka, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo and Cape Town in South Africa, and Harare Int'l, Zimbabwe. The aircraft underwent maintenance in Johannesburg, including avionic upgrades and rebranding. "Continuous market potential analyses will be conducted to assess additional destinations to be added to the airline's route network. The date for the launch of operations will be announced in due course, to be followed by the opening of our systems [for] bookings and ticket purchases," RENAC said.<br/>