Eswatini Air has announced scheduled flights to Lusaka, Zambia, effective April 1, 2026, marking another key milestone in its regional expansion strategy.
The CEO of Royal Eswatini National Airways Corporation (RENAC), Captain Qiniso Dhlamini, made the announcement during a press conference on Thursday at the company’s offices in Matsapha.
The new route will operate twice a week in its initial phase and will run alongside the Harare service as the airline monitors passenger traffic and overall route performance.
The expansion strengthens Eswatini Air’s growing footprint in Southern Africa and reinforces its ambition to position King Mswati III International Airport as an alternative regional hub.
The CEO thanked the traveling public for their patriotism and unwavering support, noting that the Lusaka route is an important step toward improving regional connectivity.
“We are delighted to expand our network to Lusaka as part of our ongoing commitment to improving regional connectivity,” he said. “This route is a key step in our growth strategy, and we look forward to serving business and leisure travelers between Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and South Africa.”
By strengthening air links among these markets, Eswatini Air aims to facilitate tourism, trade, and cultural exchange across Africa and beyond. The airline also encourages businesses and travelers to continue supporting the national carrier as it works toward long-term sustainability, keeps fares affordable, and offers value.
To support its entry into the Zambian market, Eswatini Air has appointed AirlinePros as its General Sales Agent (GSA) in Zambia. The GSA will oversee the airline’s commercial interests in the country, providing sales, marketing, and promotional support to build brand visibility and drive passenger traffic.
Tickets for the Lusaka route will soon be available for reservation and purchase on the airline’s official website (www.eswatiniair.co.sz), at its Manzini ticket office, and through accredited travel agencies. Travelers are encouraged to take advantage of convenient nonstop flights to and from Lusaka, as well as connections to and from East Africa, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.
Currently, Eswatini Air operates scheduled flights to Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, and Harare, providing vital air links that enhance regional connectivity and support tourism and business travel throughout Southern Africa. The airline continues to deploy its Embraer regional jets on these routes, offering what it describes as a seamless, reliable, and comfortable travel experience.
Combined flights for Durban and Cape Town
The airline also announced a revised schedule for its low-load seasons, which occur in January, February, June, and July. Addressing operational efficiency during off-peak periods, Eswatini Air General Manager Ndumiso Shongwe outlined the airline’s strategy for these low-load seasons. Rather than canceling flights due to lower passenger volumes, the airline has opted to combine the Durban and Cape Town services.
“During the months of January, February, June, and July, our Cape Town and Durban routes will be combined for the convenience of our passengers,” Shongwe stated. “We did not want to disrupt travel by canceling, so we are combining the routes.”
Shongwe noted that while the stop adds a brief delay, the priority remains reliability: “The inconvenience of the stop in Durban is not much for our clients, because we continue to ensure that we depart on time and that everything goes well.”
A common source of passenger feedback has been the inability to check baggage through to a final destination when connecting with other airlines. Shongwe confirmed that the airline is actively pursuing a solution through international certification.
“The public has been complaining about the baggage check. People want to check in their baggage here for delivery to their final destination. We are working diligently to address this concern,” Shongwe said.
He revealed that Eswatini Air has officially secured a slot for the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), scheduled for April 13–17, 2026.
“Once we complete the certification process and are listed in the IATA register, we will be able to enter into interline and codeshare agreements with other operators. After certification, you will be able to check in your baggage from King Mswati III International Airport to your final destination. We are preparing for this audit now and request the nation’s continued support throughout the process.”