Royal Swazi National Airways
Encyclopedia
Royal Swazi National Airways Corporation was the national airline of the Kingdom of Swaziland. Headquartered in Mbabane
with its operational base at Matsapha Airport
near Manzini, the airline
was founded in 1978.
from Fokker
with which it would begin its services. Fokker-VFW F28 pilots, among other technical assistance. The airline also acquired a low-cycle Vickers Viscount 839
which had previously been operated by the Iranian government and the Sultan of Oman's Air Force
. On 1 August 1978, the airline inaugurated its services with the F28 on a flight from Manzini to Johannesburg
via Durban
, whilst the airlines' Viscount was on standby at Matsapha Airport
. Services to Lusaka
, Mauritius
and Blantyre
were expected to be added to the fledgling airline's route network.
The airline made headlines when on 25 November 1981 a group of 44 mercenaries
led by Mike Hoare
boarded a scheduled Royal Swazi National Airways flight in Manzini to Mahé
in the Seychelles
in an attempt to overthrow Seychellois President France-Albert René
. The mercenaries disguised themselves as Ancient Order of Froth Blowers rugby
players and fans, but were exposed as they passed through customs when an alert official discovered a dismantled AK-47
in one of the mercenaries' luggage. The Royal Swazi National Airways F28 was damaged in the ensuing firefight between Seychellois officials and the mercenaries at Seychelles International Airport
. After the incident, the airline ceased flights to the Seychelles.
By 1993 the airline served a route network that included Cape Town
, Dar es Salaam
, Harare
, Gaborone
, Johannesburg
, Maseru
, Lusaka
, Maputo
and Nairobi
, of which the Manzini–Johannesburg route was the airlines' busiest. On 4 July 1993, the scheduled flight between Maputo
and Manzini was hijacked by a Mozambiquean passenger armed with an AK-47. Not long after the aircraft departed Maputo, the hijacker stormed the cockpit with his gun, and demanded to be flown to Australia
. When told that Australia was too far for the aircraft to fly, he insisted on being flown to Maseru
in Lesotho
. With Maseru Airport being closed, and the aircraft being low on fuel, the crew flew to Johannesburg
. Three hours after arriving in Johannesburg, South African Police
stormed the aircraft. The Captain and one passenger were injured in the crossfire and the hijacker was shot in the head but survived. In 1994, the airline leased a Fokker 100 in a 12 business class and 85 economy class configuration, but it was returned to its lessor in 1996 and onward leased to Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique
, the same airline Royal Swazi leased a Boeing 737-200 from several years earlier.
Royal Swazi National Airways, which at the time was owned by the Swazi government and Tibiyo Taka Ngwane, a trust managed by King Mswati III
, ceased operations to Harare, Lusaka, Dar es Salaam and Nairobi on 12 April 1999 and the Swazi government signed an agreement with SA Airlink on 25 April for the South African airline to take a 40% stake in a new venture, with the government holding the remaining 60%, to be known as Airlink Swaziland
. Airlink Swaziland began operations in July 1999 with a Fokker F28 leased from the company.
The company still exists, although it does not own an airline, but rather operates as an air ticket sales agent. Still wholly owned by the government, Royal Swazi National Airways Corporation operates independently under the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, with a board appointed by the Minister. In August 2009 it was revealed that the government owed the company some E
13.1 million for air travel accumulated by 16 government ministries and departments.
Mbabane
-References:...
with its operational base at Matsapha Airport
Matsapha Airport
Matsapha Airport is an airport located near Manzini, a city in Manzini District of Swaziland.In 2011 it will be replaced by Sikhuphe International Airport and will be taken over by the army. The handover had been expected in 2010 but construction of the new airport has been delayed.-Facilities:The...
near Manzini, the airline
Airline
An airline provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit...
was founded in 1978.
History
In March 1978, the government of Swaziland announced that it was setting up a national airline to be known as Royal Swazi National Airways Corporation, and informed privately owned airline Swazi Air that it would be required to close down operations by 1 August 1978. In mid-1978 it was announced that Royal Swazi had purchased a 63-seat Fokker F.28 Mk.3000Fokker F28
The Fokker F28 Fellowship is a short range jet airliner designed and built by defunct Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker.-Design and development:...
from Fokker
Fokker
Fokker was a Dutch aircraft manufacturer named after its founder, Anthony Fokker. The company operated under several different names, starting out in 1912 in Schwerin, Germany, moving to the Netherlands in 1919....
with which it would begin its services. Fokker-VFW F28 pilots, among other technical assistance. The airline also acquired a low-cycle Vickers Viscount 839
Vickers Viscount
The Vickers Viscount was a British medium-range turboprop airliner first flown in 1948 by Vickers-Armstrongs, making it the first such aircraft to enter service in the world...
which had previously been operated by the Iranian government and the Sultan of Oman's Air Force
Royal Air Force of Oman
The Royal Air Force of Oman is the air arm of the Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces-History:...
. On 1 August 1978, the airline inaugurated its services with the F28 on a flight from Manzini to Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
via Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
, whilst the airlines' Viscount was on standby at Matsapha Airport
Matsapha Airport
Matsapha Airport is an airport located near Manzini, a city in Manzini District of Swaziland.In 2011 it will be replaced by Sikhuphe International Airport and will be taken over by the army. The handover had been expected in 2010 but construction of the new airport has been delayed.-Facilities:The...
. Services to Lusaka
Lusaka
Lusaka is the capital and largest city of Zambia. It is located in the southern part of the central plateau, at an elevation of about 1,300 metres . It has a population of about 1.7 million . It is a commercial centre as well as the centre of government, and the four main highways of Zambia head...
, Mauritius
Mauritius
Mauritius , officially the Republic of Mauritius is an island nation off the southeast coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about east of Madagascar...
and Blantyre
Blantyre, Malawi
Blantyre or Mandala is Malawi's centre of finance and commerce, the largest city with an estimated 732,518 inhabitants . It is sometimes referred to as the commercial capital of Malawi as opposed to the political capital, Lilongwe...
were expected to be added to the fledgling airline's route network.
The airline made headlines when on 25 November 1981 a group of 44 mercenaries
Mercenary
A mercenary, is a person who takes part in an armed conflict based on the promise of material compensation rather than having a direct interest in, or a legal obligation to, the conflict itself. A non-conscript professional member of a regular army is not considered to be a mercenary although he...
led by Mike Hoare
Mike Hoare
Thomas Michael Hoare is an Irish mercenary leader known for military activities in Africa and his failed attempt to conduct a coup d'état in the Seychelles.-Early life and military career:...
boarded a scheduled Royal Swazi National Airways flight in Manzini to Mahé
Mahé, Seychelles
Mahé is the largest island of the Seychelles, lying in the north east of the nation. The population of Mahé is 80,000. It contains the capital city of Victoria and accommodates 90% of the country's total population...
in the Seychelles
Seychelles
Seychelles , officially the Republic of Seychelles , is an island country spanning an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, some east of mainland Africa, northeast of the island of Madagascar....
in an attempt to overthrow Seychellois President France-Albert René
France-Albert René
France-Albert René was the long-time socialist President of Seychelles from 1977 to 2004. He is known by government officials and party members as "the Boss". His name is often given as simply Albert René or F.A...
. The mercenaries disguised themselves as Ancient Order of Froth Blowers rugby
Rugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
players and fans, but were exposed as they passed through customs when an alert official discovered a dismantled AK-47
AK-47
The AK-47 is a selective-fire, gas-operated 7.62×39mm assault rifle, first developed in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov. It is officially known as Avtomat Kalashnikova . It is also known as a Kalashnikov, an "AK", or in Russian slang, Kalash.Design work on the AK-47 began in the last year...
in one of the mercenaries' luggage. The Royal Swazi National Airways F28 was damaged in the ensuing firefight between Seychellois officials and the mercenaries at Seychelles International Airport
Seychelles International Airport
Seychelles International Airport or Aéroport de La Pointe la Rue as it is known locally is located on the island of Mahé, Seychelles near the capital city of Victoria...
. After the incident, the airline ceased flights to the Seychelles.
By 1993 the airline served a route network that included Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
, Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam , formerly Mzizima, is the largest city in Tanzania. It is also the country's richest city and a regionally important economic centre. Dar es Salaam is actually an administrative province within Tanzania, and consists of three local government areas or administrative districts: ...
, Harare
Harare
Harare before 1982 known as Salisbury) is the largest city and capital of Zimbabwe. It has an estimated population of 1,600,000, with 2,800,000 in its metropolitan area . Administratively, Harare is an independent city equivalent to a province. It is Zimbabwe's largest city and its...
, Gaborone
Gaborone
' is the capital and largest city of Botswana with a population of 191,776 based on a 2006 survey, about 10% of the total population of Botswana....
, Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, Maseru
Maseru
Maseru is the capital of Lesotho. It is also the capital of the Maseru District. Located on the Caledon River, bordering South Africa, Maseru is Lesotho's only sizable city, with a population of approximately 227,880 . The city was established as a police camp and assigned as the capital after the...
, Lusaka
Lusaka
Lusaka is the capital and largest city of Zambia. It is located in the southern part of the central plateau, at an elevation of about 1,300 metres . It has a population of about 1.7 million . It is a commercial centre as well as the centre of government, and the four main highways of Zambia head...
, Maputo
Maputo
Maputo, also known as Lourenço Marques, is the capital and largest city of Mozambique. It is known as the City of Acacias in reference to acacia trees commonly found along its avenues and the Pearl of the Indian Ocean. It was famous for the inscription "This is Portugal" on the walkway of its...
and Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
, of which the Manzini–Johannesburg route was the airlines' busiest. On 4 July 1993, the scheduled flight between Maputo
Maputo
Maputo, also known as Lourenço Marques, is the capital and largest city of Mozambique. It is known as the City of Acacias in reference to acacia trees commonly found along its avenues and the Pearl of the Indian Ocean. It was famous for the inscription "This is Portugal" on the walkway of its...
and Manzini was hijacked by a Mozambiquean passenger armed with an AK-47. Not long after the aircraft departed Maputo, the hijacker stormed the cockpit with his gun, and demanded to be flown to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. When told that Australia was too far for the aircraft to fly, he insisted on being flown to Maseru
Maseru
Maseru is the capital of Lesotho. It is also the capital of the Maseru District. Located on the Caledon River, bordering South Africa, Maseru is Lesotho's only sizable city, with a population of approximately 227,880 . The city was established as a police camp and assigned as the capital after the...
in Lesotho
Lesotho
Lesotho , officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a landlocked country and enclave, surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. It is just over in size with a population of approximately 2,067,000. Its capital and largest city is Maseru. Lesotho is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The name...
. With Maseru Airport being closed, and the aircraft being low on fuel, the crew flew to Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
. Three hours after arriving in Johannesburg, South African Police
South African Police
The South African Police was the country's police force until 1994. The SAP traced its origin to the Dutch Watch, a paramilitary organization formed by settlers in the Cape in 1655, initially to protect civilians against attack and later to maintain law and order...
stormed the aircraft. The Captain and one passenger were injured in the crossfire and the hijacker was shot in the head but survived. In 1994, the airline leased a Fokker 100 in a 12 business class and 85 economy class configuration, but it was returned to its lessor in 1996 and onward leased to Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique
Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique
Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique, Ltd., operating as LAMMozambique Airlines , is the flag carrier of Mozambique. Based in Maputo, it operates scheduled services in southern Africa and Europe under the IATA airline code TM and the ICAO airline code LAM, its callsign being MOZAMBIQUE.The carrier is a...
, the same airline Royal Swazi leased a Boeing 737-200 from several years earlier.
Royal Swazi National Airways, which at the time was owned by the Swazi government and Tibiyo Taka Ngwane, a trust managed by King Mswati III
Mswati III of Swaziland
Mswati III is the King of Swaziland and head of the Swazi Royal Family. In 1986, he succeeded his father Sobhuza II as ruler of the southern African kingdom...
, ceased operations to Harare, Lusaka, Dar es Salaam and Nairobi on 12 April 1999 and the Swazi government signed an agreement with SA Airlink on 25 April for the South African airline to take a 40% stake in a new venture, with the government holding the remaining 60%, to be known as Airlink Swaziland
Airlink Swaziland
Swaziland Airlink is the national carrier airline of Swaziland. It is part of an alliance with South African Airways, South African Express and South African Airlink.The airline is on the List of air carriers banned in the European Union.-History:...
. Airlink Swaziland began operations in July 1999 with a Fokker F28 leased from the company.
The company still exists, although it does not own an airline, but rather operates as an air ticket sales agent. Still wholly owned by the government, Royal Swazi National Airways Corporation operates independently under the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, with a board appointed by the Minister. In August 2009 it was revealed that the government owed the company some E
Swazi lilangeni
The lilangeni is the currency of Swaziland and is subdivided into 100 cents. The South African rand is also accepted in Swaziland and it is issued by the Central Bank of Swaziland...
13.1 million for air travel accumulated by 16 government ministries and departments.