Transport and tourism sector defends new Swazi airport

‘Extra capacity will open up new markets’
JAMES HALL
MBABANE - FTW’s description of the new Swaziland International Airport under construction in the eastern lowveld hamlet of Sikhupe as “an airport nobody wants” has been challenged by some in the transport and tourism sector who want a new facility that allows wide-bodied cargo planes to land in the country. “The expression goes, ‘Build a better mousetrap, and the world will beat a path to your door’. If we have the ability to bring tourists and airfreight in large numbers into and out of the country, we can open new markets,” said manufacturing consultant Sibonelo Dlamini. FTW witnessed what happened when a jumbo cargo plane attempted to lift off from the country’s current airport at the Matsapha Industrial Estate, 30 km east of Mbabane, with a cargo of two elephants destined for the US. The large jet engines nearly knocked over cars in the nearby parking lot. At least one new agricultural industry, cultivating cut flowers for the European market, will depend on airfreight to export its product, company founders said. A local airport would shave ground travel time by five hours over the current option of shipping from Johannesburg International Airport.