Zambia and the Kingdom of Eswatini have signed a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) that will open up direct commercial flights between the two countries.
According to Africa Briefing, the agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 10th Africa and Indian Ocean Aviation Week 2025, held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. The deal marks a significant milestone in strengthening air connectivity between the two southern African nations. Built on recent high-level diplomatic engagements, the BASA is expected to reduce both travel times and operational costs, while deepening economic, tourism, and cultural ties.
‘This is about more than aviation—it’s about bridging our economies and people,’ said one Zambian delegate at the summit. The agreement removes the need for time-consuming transit through third countries, simplifying routes between Lusaka and Eswatini’s key hubs. The Zambia-Eswatini air deal aligns with the African Union’s drive to fully implement the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), a flagship initiative of Agenda 2063. The deal also advances the objectives of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), which praised the agreement as a major step toward achieving seamless air travel across Africa. AFCAC officials noted that bilateral agreements like this are crucial to enabling the free movement of people and goods across borders and building stronger regional economies.
According to Eswatini’s Ministry of Public Works and Transport, the first direct flight is scheduled to launch by September 2025. Preparatory visits and technical groundwork will begin in June, ensuring the necessary infrastructure and regulatory arrangements are in place. The move is particularly significant for the large Zambian business community in Eswatini, which has long sought easier travel links. Officials anticipate the route will also encourage cross-border investment and tourism growth.
The agreement forms part of Zambia’s broader ambition to become a leading aviation and logistics hub in southern Africa. With Kenneth Kaunda International Airport undergoing major upgrades, Lusaka is positioning itself as a strategic connector between landlocked nations and major trade corridors. This new route with Eswatini adds momentum to Zambia’s regional integration strategy through air transport.
Aviation experts believe the Zambia-Eswatini agreement sets a valuable precedent for other African countries implementing SAATM. As more nations adopt similar frameworks, travellers can expect faster, cheaper, and more accessible intra-African flights. By opening this vital air corridor, Zambia and Eswatini are not just linking their cities—they are advancing Africa’s broader vision of a connected, mobile, and prosperous continent.
