Here's a previous post on this new airport. I thought there might be some interest on the subject and just give you guys a bit of an update on how things are coming along.
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=12710470&postcount=61

Latest news indicates that construction has stopped.

The king was more interested in why no road building and other "infrastructure development" were taking place - primarily referring to the stalled work on Sikhuphe airport and the highway that is supposed to serve it. The king responded furiously when it was clear that the government had nothing to report.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201106120053.html

The project was initially set to be completed by June 2010. It was part of the millennium goals which took 1billion dollars from the coffers to pay for infrastructural programmes like new stadiums, roads and air ports. The timing for the airport was also intended to coincide with the 2010 world cup but unfortunately it was too late and so Swaziland missed a major tourism opportunity. That wasn't the only reason they failed to capitalise on the WC but for such a big investment, it sure didn't pay off. It is supposed to replace the current air port situated between Manzini and Mbabane. Mataspha air port which so far is only able to accommodate small regional carriers. Here's a good summary of the air port with key info I just don't have time to add unfortunately. Sorry
http://www.airport-technology.com/projects/sikhuphe-internation/

Anyway get ready guys, as according to the government, this is going to allow SD to become the next Singapore or Dubai.

mmmm....singapore or Dubai....?? sadly me thinks not. What is the attraction for anyone to fly into Swaziland directly with its tiny population and now current economic issues when SA is right next door?

mmmm....singapore or Dubai....?? sadly me thinks not. What is the attraction for anyone to fly into Swaziland directly with its tiny population and now current economic issues when SA is right next door?

Sorry I forgot to add a lol smile at the end. I agree big joke. Very hard to get attention and therefore investment. Plus Singapour and Dubai were revolutionary in their thinking and had access to the sea and a few other individual things going for them that Swaziland can never have.

i heard it was so Kingy could buy a bigger jet... :)

i heard it was so Kingy could buy a bigger jet... :)
Lol, nah, that would be waste of public funds. He is a well respected leader when it comes to money :lol:

Singapore and Dubai become what they are because of their positions in the world. You can reach almost any place on earth from those positions with the right aircraft. And they are perfect for connecting flights.

The next 'Singapore or Dubai' will be Istanbul.

/yes I know you were joking :lol:

is Swaziland dreaming??


School trips may soon be by plane
By MUSA SIMELANE on March 08,2012

MBABANE – The Swaziland Civil Aviation Authority (SWACAA) is doing a study that will revolutionise school trips to Durban, Cape Town and other parts of Southern Africa.

The authority wants pupils to fly to such places at low cost instead of spending hours on the road by bus.

Solomon Dube, Director General for SWACAA, in an interview said the study had been going on for more than a month and it is not only pupils who are targeted, but teachers, small businesspeople and so on.

"We want Swazis not to look at air-travel as something that is very distant to them.

"We simply want them to fly as it is another mode of transport available.

"So we are conducting studies to gauge its feasibility.

"We have roped in economists into the study," said Dube.

He said the old generation of Swazis never boarded a plane until they started working, but the Authority plans to change that. The younger generation must experience flying from a young age.

Meanwhile, the director general also revealed that SWACAA had also signed agreements with Emirates Airlines from Dubai, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airways and Qatar Airways.

There are plans to also bring the South African Airways on board.

"Even though agreements have been signed, the foreign airlines want to know why they should operate in the kingdom and what can make visitors stay for about five days in the country.

"They want traffic, that is, people who will use their airlines.

"This is a question which the Tourism Industry and the nation must answer," said Dube.

He said Sikhuphe International Airport’s location had its own advantages such as close proxi-mity to local nature reserves, Mozambique, Richard’s Bay and Kruger National Park in South Africa.

He said Sikhuphe International Airport’s location had its own advantages such as close proxi-mity to local nature reserves, Mozambique, Richard’s Bay and Kruger National Park in South Africa.

Yeah.... thats why people fly into Durban or Nelspruit!
Swazi's, invest in your people, not in pipe-dreams :ohno:

^^ Yes, so freekin' advantageous. Only 2hrs from Richards Bay... wait... oh crap, they have a domestic airport already! Wait, only 2hrs from Kruger and Nelspruit... wait... shit... they have MQP! Wait, only 4hrs from Durban, we can be an international hub... oh... f*ck, King Shaka was just built and already struggles with ACSA and OR Tambo's dominance...

Ok, oh well, maybe we should give the Swazi people cake to eat if they have no bread then. :ohno: