BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
LOBAMBA- Eswatini Civil Aviation Authority (ESWACAA) has defended a significant rise in operating costs, amounting to up to E27 million year-on-year in the financial year ending March 31, 2024, telling PAC that the increase is driven by strict international aviation safety and compliance requirements rather than mismanagement.
The explanation came before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), chaired by Deputy Speaker Madala Mhlanga, during a session held on July 6, 2026, examining the Auditor General’s Financial Audit Report on the Eswatini Civil Aviation Authority.
Acting Auditor General Mpumelelo Matimelane highlighted notable increases across key expenditure areas, including employee costs rising from E87 million to E101 million, advertising and promotions increasing by over 33 percent, and firefighting supplies rising sharply to about E1.4 million.
PAC members questioned whether the authority had adequate strategies in place to control the rising expenditure.
Responding, Director General Andile Mtetwa-Amaeshi said aviation remains one of the most highly regulated and expensive sectors globally, requiring compliance with nearly 2 000 international standards.
She further explained that aviation standards are set globally by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and enforced through national regulatory authorities. Depending on the region, national aviation bodies are responsible for ensuring aircraft airworthiness certification and compliance with these international requirements.
Director General stressed that the increases flagged in the report are largely driven by mandatory safety and certification requirements rather than discretionary spending.
She explained that aviation firefighting equipment and emergency response materials must be replaced after reaching their operational lifespan, even if unused, making procurement costs particularly high due to the specialised nature of the equipment.
On staffing costs, she said increases were linked to international aviation regulations that set minimum personnel requirements for aviation security, fire and rescue services, and air traffic control operations, particularly following expanded operations such as Eswatini Air.
She also pointed to a shortage of air traffic controllers, noting that training a single controller can cost up to E2 million, further driving up operational costs.
Despite the increases, she told the committee that expenditure remains within approved budget limits and is necessary to maintain international aviation compliance and safety standards.
The Authority further noted that Eswatini’s aviation compliance rating currently stands at about 72 percent pending international validation expected in 2027, though still below regional and global benchmarks.
PAC members also raised concerns over whether international regulators were effectively influencing domestic spending priorities, with ESWACAA maintaining that compliance obligations are mandatory and unavoidable.
The session concluded with recognition of the financial pressures facing the aviation sector, balanced against the need to maintain global safety certification and operational readiness.
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(Courtesy Pic)
