BY PHUMELELE MKHONTA
MBABANE– Gratitude!
This is what the Minister of Public, Works and Transport, Chief Ndlaluhlaza Ndwandwe, expressed when addressing Zimbabwe’s swift response in approving the Foreign Operator Permit (FOP).
It is this FOP that saw Eswatini Air commencing flights to Harare last Friday.
The Minister expressed himself Sunday evening, during an event where Eswatini Government officials were at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (RGMIA). The officials were welcomed by Zimbabwe’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Felix Mhona.
Through Ndwandwe, the Government of Eswatini applauded Zimbabwe’s open skies policy and the open-for-business mantra after Eswatini Air was recently allowed to operate in the country (Zimbabwe).
Zimbabwe’s Open Skies Policy, which enhances the country’s attractiveness to potential investment and tourism continue to gain momentum. Zimbabwean Government’s adoption of the open skies policy and improved business environment anchored on Zimbabwe’s Open-for-Business mantra has seen confidence to invest in the country growing.
The Eswatini Air has joined the growing list of airlines establishing routes between Harare and various destinations.
“We thank the Zimbabwe Civil Authority for the swift release of the SOP to Eswatini Air to enable operations to resume, hence our first flight last Friday.
“It is our sincere belief that the airline will prosper of its establishment, being the transportation of passengers and goods between our two countries. Aviation is a catalyst for economic growth and it is our belief the airline will open areas of collaboration between our countries,” said the Eswatini Minister.
