Eswatini has taken a step toward deeper regional air connectivity through new bilateral air services agreements signed with Zambia and Zimbabwe during the Africa-Indian Ocean Aviation Week held in Victoria Falls.
The agreements were signed by Thulani Mkhaliphi, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, who led the delegation representing the Kingdom at the regional aviation gathering.
The deals are expected to allow airlines from Eswatini, Zambia, and Zimbabwe to operate direct flights between their territories, making travel easier for business, tourism, and regional cooperation.
The move supports the African Union’s Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) initiative, which aims to open up the continent’s airspace and boost intra-African travel. SAATM, a key part of the AU’s Agenda 2063, promotes the liberalisation of air transport as a catalyst for economic growth and integration.
By committing to these agreements, Eswatini joins other African nations working to increase the continent’s share of global aviation and reduce the current dependence on non-African carriers for inter-country travel.
The agreements are also expected to generate economic opportunities by facilitating trade and investment across borders, supporting Eswatini’s development ambitions through improved transport links.
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