THE terms of office for the Royal Eswatini National Airways Corporation (RENAC) Board of Directors and Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) Captain President Qiniso Dhlamini will come to an end in about two weeks time, marking the end of a spectacular chapter in the development of Eswatini’s aviation industry.
Minister for Public Works and Transport Chief Ndlaluhlaza Ndwandwe this week confirmed that the tenures of the board as well as of the GCEO will come to an end on August 31.
The board, chaired by Mndeni Mazibuko, served a three-year term, with some members having completed two or three such terms. The members include Gwyneth Lomahoza, David Millin, Gerty Carmichael, Thulasizwe Dlamini, Thulani Mkhaliphi and Abner Dlamini.
The minister commended the board and Dhlamini for their immense contribution to the growth of the local aviation sector, highlighting several key developments achieved during their respective tenures.
The GCEO, a former pilot with 14 000 flight hours and extensive administrative experience, was serving his third three-year term of office and recorded a handful of accomplishments.
Among the key milestones were the introduction of VVIP operations and revival of RENAC’s commercial airline, Eswatini Air, previously known as Royal Swazi National Airways. The latter development, which saw Eswatini procuring two Embraer ERJ145 aircraft each with a carrying capacity of 50 passengers, was implemented amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which severely restricted the movement of people and goods.
“These developments resulted in increased employment, enhanced local aviation skills, introduction of affordable airfares and growth in tourism, trade and the economy at large,” Ndwandwe said.
Looking ahead, the minister expressed hope that the airline would continue to expand.
He emphasised the need for RENAC to acquire additional aircraft capable of operating longer-range routes across the African continent and beyond.
Ndwandwe further revealed that efforts were underway to develop a cargo facility at King Mswati III International Airport.
He envisaged that such a facility would increase the need for a growing airline capable of transporting large volumes of freight as the kingdom’s economy continued to grow.
“It is, therefore, important for the airline to expand to be able to transport large amounts of goods in and outside the country,” said Ndwandwe.
Meanwhile, the board chairperson described the term of office as a journey of rebuilding, repositioning and, most importantly, restoring confidence that Eswatini can have a viable national airline.
Mazibuko reflected that RENAC and Eswatini Air have traversed through a particularly challenging period when the aviation industry globally was under severe pressure.
“Through dedicated board oversight, sound stewardship and management commitment, the organisation emerged more resilient. The journey has moved Eswatini Air from a major national project to a recognisable regional airline,” Mazibuko said.
He noted that the return of scheduled national airline operations through Eswatini Air stands out as the defining milestone because it restored a capability that had been lost and demonstrated that Eswatini could once again operate its own scheduled airline.
Added the chairperson; “The acquisition and deployment of the initial aircraft, achievement of the required regulatory approvals and successful launch of the airline in 2023 were critical foundations. The airline now connects Eswatini directly with important regional markets, including Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, Harare and Lusaka. The increased frequency to OR Tambo and the continued growth in passenger numbers have strengthened both public confidence and the airline’s relevance.”
On that note, Captain Dhlamini said: “I would like to see the airline grow naturally through supply and demand and route expansion after thorough feasibility studies.”
Dhlamini would further like to see the airline connecting the country to the East African and West African hubs. Interestingly, the West African hubs would open doors to the North Americas while the East African hub provides getaways to Asia and the Middle East.
In the long-term, the captain said he wished to see larger international airlines operating out of King Mswati III International Airport, referring to the likes of Emirates, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines and British Airways.
Under Dhlamini’s leadership, RENAC operates the State’s Airbus A340 on behalf of government, manages the VVIP terminal at King Mswati III International Airport and is the only licenced ground handling service provider to Eswatini Air, VVIP operation and visiting aircraft.
A self-sustainable subsidiary Royal Eswatini Travel Agency (RETA), which sells air tickets, was also established about two years ago.
