eSwatini: Eswatini Air launches operations! [update]

update (26 March 2023): eSwatini Air has launched operations. The maiden flight of the new flag carrier of of the Kingdom of eSwatini was from King Mswati III International Airport (SHO) in Sikhuphe to OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg in South Africa.

The new flag carrier of the Kingdom of eSwatini, Eswatini Air, has released its planned operating schedule, fares and notice of reservations systems going live. This marks and brings to an end of the long wait for the commencement date of Eswatini Air flights. The airline is set to introduce its service in four phases to ensure a smooth entry in the market.

Phase I: Launch of flights between King Mswati III International Airport (SHO) in Sikhuphe and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg in South Africa, operating two flights per day (an early morning rotation and a late afternoon rotation) effective 26 March 2023.

• eSwatini 07:00 > 07:45 Johannesburg
• Johannesburg 08:45 > 09:35 eSwatini
• eSwatini 16:05 > 16:55 Johannesburg
• Johannesburg 17:40 > 18:30 eSwatini

Phase II: Robert G. Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare in Zimbabwe will be added to the schedule effective 14 April 2023, offering four flights per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

• eSwatini 10:15 > 11:45 Harare
• Harare 14:00 > 15:30 eSwatini

Phase III: King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban will be added to the schedule effective 05 May 2023, offering a flight each day of the week.

• eSwatini 17:30 > 18:30 Durban
• Durban 07:55 > 08:55 eSwatini

Phase III also includes introduction of a 3rd daily flight between eSwatini and Johannesburg to be operated in the afternoon.

• eSwatini 11:30 > 12:20 Johannesburg
• Johannesburg 14:10 > 15:00 eSwatini

Phase IV: This is the final launch phase and entails addition of Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town to the route network effective 02 June 2023. Cape Town will be operated three times per week on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

• eSwatini 10:20 > 12:50 Cape Town
• Cape Town 13:40 > 16:10 eSwatini

Eswatini Air's reservations and ticketing system is now open for bookings and ticket purchases.

Launch special fares are on offer for one-way flights inclusive of taxes ranging from:

• SZL 1,300.00 on flights between eSwatini and Johannesburg or Durban,
• SZL 2,100.00 on flights between eSwatini and Cape Town, and
• SZL 2,200.00 on flights between eSwatini and Harare.

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eSwatini: eSwatini Air has released an update on the latest developments! [update]

update (24 February 2023): The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) has granted Foreign Operator Permits (FOP) to Eswatini Air and Zambia Airways. The FOPs authorize the respective airlines to operate passenger and cargo operations in and outbound RG Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare, Zimbabwe.

eSwatini Air, the new flag carrier of the Kingdom of eSwatini, has released an update on the latest developments. The airline's Air Operator Certificate (AOC) was approved at the end of last year. The Foreign Operator Permit (FOP) for Zimbabwe has been received, while the FOP for South Africa is still in process.
The Royal Eswatini National Airways Corporation (RENAC)* has also been assigned airline codes by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) - the assigned IATA 2 letter code is "RN" and the IATA 3 digit accounting prefix is "507".
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has also assigned codes for airline identification when operating international flights. The two codes applicable are "SZL" as the 3 letter designator and "Eswatini" as the Telephony designator.
eSwatini Air has applied for landing and departure slots at Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town, King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg as well as Robert G. Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare.

According to eSwatini Air's update, a define date for its maiden flight can not be set as the turnaround time for the outstanding process is dependent on various factors beyond the airline's control. As soon as all outstanding matters are cleared, a flight schedule and pricing will be released. However, the airline is expecting to be able lo launch operations at the beginning of the next IATA seson, which is 26 March 2023. We'll keep you posted!

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*eSwatini Air is RENAC's (new) trading name.

eSwatini: Royal Eswatini National Airways Corporation (RENAC) has released an update on Eswatini Air!

The Royal Eswatini National Airways Corporation (RENAC) has released an update on Eswatini's new flag carrier Eswatini Air, which was supposed to commence operations in mid-2022. The airline's Air Operator Certificate (AOC) certification process is still ongoing and has progressed from Phase 3 to Phase 4 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) 5 Phase process. As the certification is still ongoing, a launch date for eSwatini Air will only be announced once the AOC has been issued. RENAC confirms that eSwatini Air's systems are ready to go live, that the two Embraer ERJ 145 aircraft to be used for the operation are both serviceable and ready to commence operations and that the airline will operate direct non-stop flights flights between eSwatini's King Mswati III International Airport (SHO) in Sikhuphe and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town, King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg in South Africa as well as Robert G. Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare in Zimbabwe.. We'll keep you posted!

There are five phases in the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) certification process. The five phases are:

1. Pre-Application Phase
2. Formal Application Phase
3. Document Evaluation Phase
4. Demonstration and Inspection Phase
5. Certification Phase

eSwatini: eSwatini Air to launch operations in the second quarter of 2022! [update #6]

update (04 August 2022):  The Royal Eswatini National Airways Corporation (RENAC) has posted on LinkedIn that "the wait will soon be over". No launch date, but a least a hint that the new airline will be launching operations in the near future.

update (01 July 2022): According to an article on bizcommunity.com issued by the Gauteng Tourism Authority, Eswatini Air(ways) will debut in July 2022.

update (25 May 2022): According to media statement by Eswatini Air (10 May 2022), the airline plans to launch its operations during mid-2022 (!), starting with four routes linking Eswatini to Durban, Cape Town, Johannesburg and Harare using 2 Embraer ERJ 145 aircraft.

update (12 May 2022): eSwatini Air and Hahn Air signed an agreement at African Airlines Association's (AFRAA) 10th Aviation Stakeholders’ Convention in Nairobi, Kenya (08-10 May 2022). eSwatini Air will start operating in June 2022 and will expand its ticket sales with Hahn Air via all major global distribution systems (GDS) under the X1 code.

update (11 March 2022): eSwatini Air is planning to operate daily direct flights to Durban and Johannesburg as well as four weekly direct flights to Cape Town and Harare.

update (10 March 2022): According to Royal Eswatini National Airways Corporation (RENAC) CEO Qiniso Dhlamini, eSwatini Air will commence operations in late May 2022 or early June 2022. [src.]

The Commercial Director of the Royal Eswatini National Airways Corporation (RENAC), Xavier Masule, announced during an interview with Jon Howell's AviaDev Insight, the first podcast dedicated to the African aviation industry, that the trading name of eSwatini's new national airline is eSwatini Air. RENAC currently targets to conclude the air operator's certificate (AOC) for eSwatini Air by the end of March 2022 and is planing to launch regional operations towards the end of the second quarter of 2022. eSwatini Air will initially offer direct nonstop flights between eSwatini's King Mswati III International Airport (SHO) in Sikhuphe and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town, King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg in South Africa as well as Robert G. Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare in Zimbabwe. The airline will operate all flights on board its two newly acquired 50-seater Embraer ERJ 145, which were both previously operated by HOP!, a subsidiary of Air France. 

Eswatini: The Royal Eswatini National Airways Corporation (RENAC) is at an advanced stage in preparing to launch scheduled regional air services!

According to the CEO of the Royal Eswatini National Airways Corporation (RENAC), Captain President Dhlamini, the company is at an advanced stage in preparing to launch scheduled regional air services in Southern Africa. RENAC, which is targeting the first half of 2022 to launch, will operate flights between Eswatini's King Mswati III International Airport (SHO) in Sikhuphe and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town, King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg in South Africa as well as Robert G. Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare in Zimbabwe. The airline will operate all flights on board its two newly acquired 50-seater Embraer ERJ 145, which were both previously operated by HOP!, a subsidiary of Air France. We'll keep you posted!

The Royal Eswatini National Airways Corporation (RENAC) was established in 1978 as Royal Swazi National Airlines. RENAC is wholly owned by the Government of Eswatini and offers air charter brokerage and airport ground-handling services, supplies jet fuel, and operates the Royal Eswatini Travel Agency (RETA).

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Eswatini: The Royal Eswatini National Airways Corporation is planning to launch regional operations! [update]

update (26 October 2021): RENAC just confirmed via twitter, that they are hoping to launch operations in April 2022.

update (21 October 2021): According to a comment on LinkedIn by Batsabile Loveness Nkambule, Marketing & Communications Officer at RENAC, the launch of operations is now planned to take place before April 2022!

update (30 September 2021): According to a tweet, the Royal Eswatini National Airways Corporation (RENAC) is planning to operate direct flights to Harare, Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg.

The Royal Eswatini National Airways Corporation (RENAC) is planning to launch regional scheduled air services to globally connect the Kingdom of Eswatini. RENAC is expecting to operate commercial flights from November 2021. The corporation is currently awaiting certification and accreditation from the Eswatini Civil Aviation Authority (ESWACAA) as well as from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). According to news reports, RENAC is innitially planning to launch direct flights to four regional destinations. We'll keep you posted!

The Royal Eswatini National Airways Corporation (RENAC) was established in 1978 as Royal Swazi National Airlines. RENAC is wholly owned by the Government of Eswatini and offers air charter brokerage and airport ground-handling services, supplies jet fuel, and operates the Royal Eswatini Travel Agency (RETA).

 eSwatini: The Royal Eswatini National Airways Corporation & Royal Jet (Abu Dhabi) formed an air charter partnership! (June 2020) >>

eSwatini: The Royal Eswatini National Airways Corporation & Royal Jet (Abu Dhabi) formed an air charter partnership!

The Royal Eswatini National Airways Corporation (RENAC) and Royal Jet, an international luxury flight services provider headquartered in Abu Dhabi, have formed a joint venture to offer a charter flight service from King Mswati III International Airport (SHO) in Sikhuphe in eSwatini to desired destinations once international air travel restarts. 
This collaboration will see a Royal Jet luxury 28-seater Boeing 737 BBJ based at King Mswati III International Airport (SHO) for a duration of 12 month. The strategic partnership is mainly looking at the luxury travel market and is aimed at reviving the aviation industry in eSwatini and stimulating activity at King Mswati III International Airport (SHO).
RENAC will offer ground handling and cleaning services to Royal Jet at a fee. Royal Jet will be getting their aviation fuel from RENAC's fuel farms at the Matsapha Airport Airport (MTS) and King Mswati III International Airport (SHO). In addition, RENAC's sister company, Eswatini Civil Aviation Authority (ESWACAA), will provide Royal Jet landing and parking services.