BY TANDZILE DLAMINI
EZULWINI — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has confirmed upgrades at King Mswati III International Airport, as Eswatini positions itself to meet international service standards and handle growing high level diplomatic traffic.
The announcement came during a media briefing ahead of the EU OACPS Joint Parliamentary Assembly, scheduled for 7 to 14 May at the Ezulwini Palazzo Convention Centre, a facility expected to anchor a steady flow of international conferences and official engagements.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Pholile Shakantu said the introduction of a diplomatic lounge at the airport addresses a long standing gap in handling official delegations.
“Before, we did not have a diplomatic lounge where our diplomats could be assisted privately,” said Shakantu. “Now that we have the ICC, it means we will be receiving more diplomats, so our international airport needs to align to those standards.”
The diplomatic lounge is a restricted access facility designed for heads of state, ministers, and senior officials. It provides expedited immigration and customs clearance, secure entry and exit routes, private meeting rooms, and dedicated spaces for rest and official work, allowing delegations to move efficiently and confidentially.
Officials said the development forms part of wider efforts to ensure national infrastructure keeps pace with the country’s growing role as a host of international meetings. Efficient airport handling is considered critical in shaping first impressions for visiting delegations, particularly as conference related travel increases.
The opening of the convention centre is expected to drive a steady rise in international arrivals linked to conferences, summits, and bilateral engagements, placing added demand on transport, hospitality, and security services.
The EU OACPS Joint Parliamentary Assembly is among the first major gatherings to be hosted at the Ezulwini Palazzo Convention Centre, bringing together lawmakers from Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.
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