Swazi airline issues damning report on new airport

A recent report on the non-viability of the new Sikhupe International Airport in Swaziland presented to the Swazi government by Swaziland Airlink pulls no punches. The document, released exclusively to FTW, claims company revenue will drop at least 30%, “leaving the business unsustainable and an inevitable failure.” The Swazi government is the major shareholder of Swaziland Airlink, but is avidly pursuing the controversial and long delayed airport under construction in a rural area 45 minutes east of Manzini. The prediction that a move to Sikhupe will mean an end to profitability for the only airline currently serving Swaziland was based on consumer research. “While most interviewees were positive about the new airport building, all were against the additional travel time that would be taken.” “With some 60% of passengers on this route being point to point travellers, it is estimated that as many as 40% of these passengers and 20% of connecting passengers, or 32% of current passengers, will opt for road travel. Road transport service providers are already positioning themselves to the travelling public on this basis,” the document said. Airfreight shippers will also be affected. “Pick up and delivery will be an added hour from Matsapha or Mbabane because of (passing through) Manzini traffic. There are also added fuel costs,” the manager of a Matsapha-based clearing and forwarding company told FTW.