SWAZI Express Airways has officially closed down after 12 years of operating, citing unfair competition from government as the reason for the carrier failing.
The airline’s ceo, Hans Steffan, said the two flights per day to Johannesburg put the carrier at a competitive disadvantage against Swaziland Airlink, which was granted permission by the government’s licensing board to schedule as many flights as it wishes to Johannesburg.
However, most tour operators offering tours to Swaziland said they had never used Swazi Express Airways, saying that it would have little effect on their business.
Swaziland Airlink, owned by the government of Swaziland and SA Airlink, is now the only airline offering scheduled flights to Swaziland. It offers daily return flights between Matshapa Airport and Johannesburg.
A representative from Swazi Express Airways said the airline was busy contacting passengers with bookings in order to arrange refunds.
James Hall and Chana Viljoen
