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Eswatini Airlink

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Eswatini Airlink
IATA ICAO Call sign
4Z SZL SWAZILINK
Founded1999; 25 years ago (1999)[1]
(as Swaziland Airlink)
Ceased operations1 June 2022; 2 years ago (2022-06-01)[2]
HubsKing Mswati III International Airport
Focus citiesO. R. Tambo International Airport
Fleet size0
Destinations2
Parent companyAirlink
HeadquartersMatsapha, Eswatini[3]
Websiteflyeswatiniairlink.com

Eswatini Airlink was[2] a regional airline based in Matsapha, Eswatini, and was the flag carrier of that country.[4]

History

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Eswatini Airlink was formed as a joint venture company between the Swaziland Government (60%) and Airlink (40%) to take over operations from Royal Swazi National Airways Corporation (RSNAC), the previous flag carrier of Eswatini. Swaziland Airlink started operations in July 1999 with a leased Fokker F28 aircraft from RSNAC linking Matsapha Airport with Johannesburg and Dar-es-Salaam.[citation needed]

In June 2000, the Fokker F28 was replaced with a BAe Jetstream 41 aircraft. Swaziland Airlink became Eswatini Airlink after the country's name was changed.[citation needed]

The airline ceased operations on June 1, 2022.[2][5]

Destinations

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Eswatini Airlink served the following destinations as part of Airlink:[6]

Country City Airport Notes Refs
Eswatini Manzini King Mswati III International Airport Hub
Matsapha Airport Terminated
South Africa Johannesburg O. R. Tambo International Airport

Fleet

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Eswatini Airlink did not maintain a dedicated fleet at the time of closure. Flights were operated under Airlink's AOC as part of the Airlink schedule using Embraer ERJ-135 or Embraer ERJ-140 aircraft.[7] Eswatini Airlink previously operated the BAe Jetstream 41, Fokker F28, and Embraer ERJ-135 under their own AOC.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ "Swaziland Airlink history". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "Eswatini Airlink to cease operations in late 2Q22". ch-aviation. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  3. ^ "Swaziland Airlink". centreforaviation.com. Archived from the original on 15 April 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  4. ^ "Airlink Swaziland (Pty) Ltd". Business Eswatini. Archived from the original on 26 November 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  5. ^ Smith, Compiled by Carin. "'New era of competition' as Airlink, Eswatini end decades-long joint venture". Fin24. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  6. ^ "Swaziland Airlink route network". Archived from the original on 3 April 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  7. ^ "Airlink begins SAA uncoupling; Eswatini unit pursues own AOC". ch-aviation. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
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