King Mswati III International Airport (SHO)

Mpaka, SZ 🇸🇿 Large International Airport Scheduled Service

ICAO

FDSK

IATA

SHO

Elevation

1092 ft

Region

SZ-LU

Local Time

Airport Information

GPS Code: FDSK

Local Code: Not available

Location: -26.358611° N, 31.716944° E

Continent: AF

Type: Large International Airport

Keywords: Sikhuphe International Airport

Arrivals

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Departures

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External Links

Official Website Wikipedia Live Flights

Nearby Points of Interest

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Hotels View
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What Travelers Say

AI-Generated Summary Based on web research

Travelers generally report a positive and seamless experience at King Mswati III International Airport, noting its efficiency and modern facilities. Many appreciate the clean environment and friendly atmosphere, contributing to overall satisfaction.

What Travelers Love

Cleanliness and Modernity: The airport boasts spotless toilets and is described as a clean, airy, friendly, and efficient modern facility.
Efficient Security and Immigration: Travelers have experienced seamless passport control and baggage handling formalities. Security and immigration processes are generally quick, with one traveler reporting a total time of around 10 minutes for check-in, security, and immigration. Current AI predictions estimate security wait times around 12-26 minutes and immigration at 7-8 minutes.
Free and Secure Parking: The airport offers free unshaded parking directly in front of the terminal building, which is monitored by CCTV and physical security patrols 24/7. No pre-booking is required.
Good Amenities: The terminal includes a coffee shop, car hire desks with minimal queues, and working pay phones. Free Wi-Fi (500MB) is available for passengers, along with a tourism information desk and medical assistance (a clinic with limited nursing personnel). Lounges are also available for Standard Bank Private Banking cardholders. Some reviews from 2024 mention a "food court" and numerous duty-free stores and restaurants airside.

Common Complaints

Inconvenient Location: The airport is located approximately 50km from Manzini and over an hour's drive from Mbabane city center, which many find inconvenient. Ongoing road construction can further increase travel times to and from Mbabane.
Limited Public Transport Options: While taxi and shuttle services are available, direct public bus routes from major cities might be limited, necessitating private transfers.

Overall, King Mswati III International Airport provides a pleasant and efficient travel experience, particularly praised for its cleanliness and quick processing times. The primary drawback remains its somewhat remote location, which necessitates planning for transportation.

Generated False weeks ago

This summary is automatically generated by AI based on web research of traveler reviews and experiences. AI-generated content may not always be 100% accurate.

Current Weather Conditions

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Airport Routes

Top Routes (by observations)

Newly Discovered

Popular Flight Routes

Building Route Index: We are building our route index for commercial airports. Currently 5 routes are indexed for King Mswati III International Airport. For real-time updates, admin access is required.

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Destination	IATA	City	Aircraft Type	Airline	Details	Route Map
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Top Airlines

Operating at King Mswati III International Airport

Airlines by Flight Activity

Based on observed flight operations and route network

Airline	Routes	Flights	Destinations	Last Activity
Eswatini Air `SZL` / `RN`	4	45	4	Dec 10, 2025
South African Airlink `LNK` / `4Z`	1	37	1	Dec 10, 2025

Showing top 2 airlines by flight activity. Data includes observed departures and route networks from this airport.

For Pilots

Designation	Length	Width	Surface	Status
`02/20`	11811 ft	197 ft	ASP	Active Lighted

Type	Description	Frequency
APP	Sikhuphe Aproach Control	`128.0 MHz`
GND	Sikhuphe Ground Control	`121.8 MHz`
TWR	Sikhuphe Tower	`118.55 MHz`

Ident	Name	Type	Frequency

Ground Transportation

Last updated: Nov 21, 2025

Taxis

Taxis are readily available for hire outside the arrivals terminal. Fares are typically not metered, so it is strongly advised to negotiate and agree on the price with the driver before beginning your trip. They can take you to major cities like Manzini and Mbabane, as well as other destinations across Eswatini.

Rental Cars

Several international car rental companies, including Avis, Budget, and Europcar, have service desks located inside the airport's arrivals hall. Renting a car is a popular option for flexibility. It is highly recommended to book your vehicle in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons, to ensure availability and secure better rates.

Public Transportation

There is no direct, scheduled public bus or train service operating from King Mswati III International Airport. The most common alternative is to use pre-booked private or hotel shuttle services. While local minibus taxis (kombis) are the primary form of public transport in Eswatini, they do not have a formal stop at the terminal and are not a practical option for arriving passengers with luggage.

Distances are approximate and calculated as straight-line distances.