2018 Eswatini Air show

Aviation Central’s Jarryd was not Media for the Weekend, that was done By Flippie. Jarryd was part of the Little Annie crew. (Jarryd holds a PPL and is busy with his Com)
They flew Annie in on Friday morning and took the local youth for a scenic flight around the Airport.

The Show was organized in a very short time and bad weather prohibited airshow aircraft to reach the Airport.  The only aircraft that flew was Little Annie, an Atlas Angel, Huey chopper and an R44. The R44 also did the flipping of spectators. Group of 8 Skydivers also entertained the large crowd from Young to old.

Stage with a Band and DJ was also part of the entertainment. The King of Swaziland’s two Aircraft was also visible to the left. Show day turned out nice, but windy. The airport has a spectacular tower and terminal building.  A New hi-way is being constructed linking the King Mswati III International Airport to the nearest town (Matsapha).

Johan Heine was the FDD for the show and made the best of what he had to work with. Listening to Johan Heine and Brian Emmenis from Capital Sounds talk about the 2019 Swaziland Airshow indicates that they are going to pull out all they can to insure for a spectacular 2019 show.

Hopefully, the 2019 show will attract more South African Media as Aviation Central was the only South African Media at the show. The Swazi people took good care of us and provided excellent accommodation close too Matsapha Airport. Aviation Central will be back for Swaziland international Airshow 2019.

About King Mswati III International Airport

Construction for the Airport began in 2003 on this $150m project. The Taiwanese government contributed USD 22m to the project.It is part of King Mswati III’s $1bn millennium project investment initiative to enhance Swaziland’s position as a tourist destination, serving as a tourism gateway to Swaziland’s game parks. However, it has been on the drawing board since 1980. There are also environmental concerns since Sikhupe is near Hlane game park, and may put rare species of eagles and vultures at risk. King Mswati III International Airport was planned to replace Matsapha airport by 2010, with the latter being taken over by the army. King Mswati III International Airport was inaugurated on 7 March 2014.

Facilities at King Mswati III International Airport

Airport has a 3,600m CAT 1 runway and capacity for 300,000 passengers per year. It would be able to handle Boeing 747 aircraft, and service flights to any destination in the world. Coordinates to King Mswati III International Airport 26°21′24″S 031°43′01″ECoordinates: 26°21′24″S 031°43′01″E

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