It could be three years until planes can start using the new Swaziland airport, which is currently being built.
Swazi Media Company noted that originally, it was hoped Sikhuphe Airport – which critics have nicknamed King Mswati III’s ‘vanity project’ – would be ready for the World Cup in South Africa in 2010. However, the transport initiative is well behind schedule and a completion date is still to be announced. It is thought that the overall cost of the project will be somewhere in the region of $1 billion (£638 million). Currently, the Swaziland Civil Aviation Authority (SWACAA) is refusing to reveal which airlines are going to use the airport when it is eventually operational. It has also been discovered that none of Swaziland’s neighbouring countries have come to agreements about the routes planes will be able to take in and out of the transport hub. These include Mozambique and South Africa. Speaking to the media, Marketing and Corporate Affairs Director at SWACAA Sabelo Dlamini explained three airlines from other nations have shown an interest in using Sikhuphe, but for now they will remain unnamed. He told Swazi Observer: “Normally, airline operators need about three years to prepare for such an exercise and we are nursing hopes that those we have approached will consider our proposals. What I can safely say is that we have three potential airlines ready to operate from the airport.”
Swaziland already has an airport in Matsapha and although it is the only commercial-use airport in the country, it is underused at present
Former Zombodze Emuva Member of Parliament and businessman Titus Thwala recently said at a meeting with the Federation of the Swazi Business Community that the new airport will be no good for the country and will eventually have a negative effect on the economy. However, Mr Dlamini was optimistic about the project and said SWACAA is also speaking to foreign airlines about use of the site, even though it is unlikely they will be able to operate there until 2016. Source: http://www.trl.co.uk
