The Royal Eswatini National Airways Corporation (RENAC) has officially appointed Ndumiso Shongwe as the General Manager of its subsidiary, Eswatini Air.
RENAC Group CEO Captain Qiniso Dhlamini announced the appointment during a press briefing on Thursday at the corporation’s offices. The appointment comes as the national carrier enters a critical phase of regional expansion, including the newly announced launch of flights to Lusaka, Zambia, effective April 3, 2026.
Shongwe, who assumed the role in October 2025, brings a unique blend of legal expertise and aviation management to the airline. A qualified legal practitioner and former magistrate, Shongwe transitioned into the aviation sector through senior roles as Company Secretary and later as Chief Operating Officer (COO) within the group, giving him deep institutional knowledge of the carrier’s governance and operational framework.
“He is a well-qualified professional with rigorous aviation training, including a Master of Science in Aviation Management,” noted Captain Dhlamini. “As Eswatini Air is a subsidiary of the RENAC Group, we have appointed a GM to oversee the airline’s day-to-day operations.”
One of Shongwe’s primary mandates is overseeing the airline’s upcoming IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), scheduled for April 13-17, 2026. This audit is considered the “holy grail” for regional airlines, as it opens the door to global interline and codeshare agreements.
Dhlamini described him as well-positioned to guide the airline through its next phase of structured growth and strengthened compliance. As GM, Shongwe will play a central role in advancing the airline’s long-term sustainability objectives while maintaining service excellence.