Eswatini Air Launches Direct Lusaka Route, Cutting Travel Time and Costs
Eswatini Air launched its fifth international route on 7 April 2026, establishing a direct connection between King Mswati III International Airport (Sikhuphe) and Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka, Zambia. The launch was officiated by Eswatini's Minister for Public Works and Transport, Chief Ndlaluhlaza Ndwandwe, alongside Zambia's Minister for Transport and Logistics, Frank Tayali. The route reduces travel time to just two hours, eliminating the need for passengers to connect via Johannesburg or Harare. Passengers on the inaugural flight reported savings of up to E5,000 compared to connecting routes, with one traveller paying as little as E860 for the direct service.
The new route - which joins existing Eswatini Air services to Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, and Harare - was already fully booked for its return Friday flight at the time of launch, signalling strong early demand. Zambia's Minister for Tourism, Rodney Sikumba, noted that the route traces back to discussions between President Hakainde Hichilema and King Mswati III in 2022, and highlighted the absence of visa restrictions between the two countries as a further facilitator of travel. Looking ahead, Royal Eswatini National Airways Chairman Qiniso Dhlamini confirmed that a Lusaka - Nairobi extension is under consideration, with Zambia expressing willingness to support its development.
Source: Times of Eswatini