When you find yourself in South Africa, you may be wondering which is the best airport in Eswatini? Among the many air stripes Eswatini has only one main airport that facilitates travel. Known as one among the many international airports in South Africa.
The King Mswati III International Airport is the only airport in Eswatini. During the planning and construction phase it was formerly known as Sikhuphe International Airport. It is also the nearest airport to Eswatni.
This airport replaced the Mastsapa Airport in 2014 which is the only airport catering to commercial flights. This airport also has the capacity to host hover 360,000 passengers per year.
A List of Airports in Eswatni
Eswatini was initially known as Swaziland, and has only a few airports. It has one international airport which is the main airport in Eswatini with many smaller air stripes. However during your travels it is essential to know a list of airports in Eswatini. Here is a complete list:
King Mswati III International Airport (SHO)
This airport is the main airport in Eswatini and is located in Sikhuphe, eastern Eswatini and the only international airport in Eswatini.
Matsapha Airport (MTS)
It is located in Matsapha, near Manzini. This was formerly known as the international airport, however now it is used for only domestic and general aviation.
Nhlangano Airfield
Located in Southern Eswatini, Nhlangano us a small airstrip which is generally used for private and charter flights.
Piggs Peak Airfield
A small airstrip that many private flights use to land and take over and it is located in Piggs Peak, northern Eswatini.
Bulembu Airstrip
Among the many this is a small airstrip that is only used occasionally for private flights/jets. It is located near the South African boarder in Bulemu.
All the above airports and airstrips serve differing purposes and are unique to each other in its use. However the King Mswati III International Airport is the main gateway for locals and tourists for international travel.
Eswatini international airport: King Mswati III
According to the Eswatini Civil Aviation Authority King Mswati III International Airport (KMIII) also known as the Eswatini International Airport is the main entrance way for tourism in South Africa.
For those asking where is the airport in eswatini? It is located in Sikhuphe, which is 50km away from the largest city in the country named Manzini. It is a well-known fact that this airport covers an estimate of 3,591 hectares in size.
In terms of its capacity, it is able to accommodate both long haul flight operations and large air crafts. This airport is designed for functions involving two Code E aircraft (Boeing 747, Boeing 777-300 and Airbus 340) and three Code C aircraft (ERJ135).
The airport is designed with a single runway 02-20, which has an asphalt surface and a paved length of 3,580m and width of 45m. This single runway is designed in such way that it can host over 50 aircraft movements per hour.
When tourists visiting South Africa ask which is the best airport in Eswatini, the answer is an easy one. This is because once every year the King Mswati III International Airport hosts over 300, 000 passengers.
And the most astonishing fact is that it can handle Boeing 747 aircraft, and service flights to any destination in the world.
What makes KMIII International Airport Unique?
Many of you might be questioning what makes King Mswati III International Airport so unique and stand outs from all the other air ports in Eswatini? Here are the three top reasons on the main airport In Eswatni:
- When you think of high international standards, their terminal building is like no other and it exuberates nothing short of high quality.
- If you take the primary location of the airport, it’s extremely convenient for tourists and travellers because it’s only a two-hour drive from Kruger National Park.
- If you are thinking of the parks in Eswatini, the location of the airport provides a direct view of the Hlane National Park and Mkhaya Game reserve. These offer an incredibly amazing safari experience opportunities.
Conclusion
For all that are wondering which is the best airport in Eswatini? This article provides all your answers. The King Mswati III International Airport the nearest airport to eswatini will satisfy all your travel requirements due to its location that providing tourists the opportunity to travel conveniently.
If you ever find yourself in South Africa travelling alongside to Sikhuphe or Manzini, your choice should be no other than the King Mswati III International Airport which will ensure a smooth and safe travels.
Key Points
- King Mswati III International Airport (KMIII) serves as Eswatini’s main international airport, replacing Matsapha Airport in 2014. It acts as the strategic gateway for tourism, business, and leisure in Eswatini and Southern Africa.
- The airport is strategically located in Sikhuphe, 50 kilometers from Manzini, Eswatini’s largest city, covering 3,591 hectares.
- KMIII International Airport handles 360,000 passengers annually and accommodates large aircraft, including two Code E planes (like Boeing 747 and Airbus 340) and three Code C planes (like ERJ135).
- The airport operates a single asphalt runway, 3,580 meters long and 45 meters wide, handling up to 50 aircraft movements per hour.
- Future plans include building a 3,600-meter CAT 1 runway and expanding the airport’s capacity to handle Boeing 747 flights to any destination worldwide.
- KMIII International Airport offers a high-quality terminal, a location within two hours of Kruger National Park, and proximity to Hlane National Park and Mkhaya Game Reserve, providing unique safari experiences.
FAQs
Which airport in Swaziland has international flight status?
The King Mswati III International Airport is the only airport hosting commercial flights.
What airlines fly out of Eswatini?
There are three main airlines that fly out of Eswatini, they are; Africa World Airlines, South African Airways and Rwandair.
What is the airport code for Manzini Swaziland?
The airport codes for Matsapha Airport are IATA: MTS and ICAO: FDMS. It is an airport located 50Km away from Manzini, located in the center-west of Eswatini.
What is the new airline in Swaziland?
The Eswatini Air is the latest African airline and is the national flag carrier of Eswatini. It is the name for Swaziland Eswatini Air. And launched its first flight on 26 March 2023 with flights available as twice-daily from Manzini to Johannesburg.
How much is a flight ticket from Ghana to Swaziland? Among the 7 airlines that fly from Ghana to Eswatini, themost popular route is taken from the Kotoka International Airport in Accra to King Mswati III International Airport in Manzini. Generally this flight takes 17 hours 0 minutes one-way and its costs $1,734 round-