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King Mswati III International Airport (SHO)

Mpaka, Eswatini · large airport · -26.359° 31.717° ·
Airport Information
IATA CodeSHO
ICAO CodeFDSK
Typelarge airport
NameKing Mswati III International Airport
MunicipalityMpaka
CountryEswatini
ContinentAF
Latitude-26.359° S
Longitude31.717° E
Elevation1092 ft
Climate ZoneTemperate
Scheduled ServiceYes
Score1 000
Local TimeLoading...
Country & Timezone Info
CountryEswatini
ISO Code
RegionMpaka
Continent CodeAF
IANA TimezoneAfrica/Mbabane
UTC Offset (Standard)UTC+2
DST OffsetUTC+2
Current Offset--

🌬 Best Time to Fly

Recommended: November – February
Cooler dry season across Africa
Loading season...
Dry: Nov–FebWet: Mar–Oct

✈ Airlines Serving SHO

ET — Ethiopian AirlinesMS — EgyptAirSA — South African AirwaysKQ — Kenya Airways

🌡 Climate — Temperate (26.4°S)

Jan
8°
0°
Feb
10°
1°
Mar
13°
4°
Apr
17°
7°
May
21°
11°
Jun
26°
15°
Jul
28°
17°
Aug
27°
16°
Sep
23°
13°
Oct
18°
9°
Nov
12°
5°
Dec
9°
1°
* Approximate average temperatures by month based on temperate latitude zone

✨ AI-Enhanced Insights

King Mswati III International Airport (SHO/FDSK) is Eswatini's primary international gateway, located near Mpaka in the eastern Lubombo Region. Opened in 2014, it replaced Matsapha Airport and features a 3,600 m runway built to accommodate larger aircraft. Its modern, low-traffic terminal offers a calm alternative to busier regional hubs.

💡 Local Tip
Frequent visitors bring snacks and a refillable water bottle because retail options are limited and may close between flight banks; also confirm your return transfer the day before, since late flights can leave few transport options.
🚖 Getting There

The airport sits along the MR3/Lubombo corridor, with road access to Manzini, Mbabane, and the Mozambique border. Pre-book a shuttle or taxi, as public transport and ride-hailing are not reliably available at the terminal. Allow extra time for the drive, especially if traveling from Mbabane or during bad weather.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What airlines fly to King Mswati III International Airport?
A: Service varies, but the airport mainly handles regional links to Southern African destinations such as Johannesburg and Durban; check with Eswatini Air and other current operators for schedules.

Q: How far is the airport from Mbabane and Manzini?
A: It is roughly 70–80 km east of Mbabane and about 45–60 km from Manzini, depending on the route, so road transfers usually take 1–1.5 hours.

Q: Is public transport available at the airport?
A: Public transport is limited; most passengers use pre-booked shuttles, taxis, or rental cars. Arrange your transfer before arrival.

Q: What facilities are in the terminal?
A: The modern terminal offers basic passenger services such as check-in, immigration, baggage claim, car rental desks, and limited dining or shopping. Expect a quiet, small-airport atmosphere.
AI-generated content · Generated Sep 28, 2026 · deepseek-v4.1-flash

🗺 Location Map

🌏 Nearby Airports (Top 5)

IATANameCity / CountryDistance (km)Distance (mi)Link
MTS Matsapha International Airport Manzini, Eswatini 44.9 km 27.9 mi View →
MPM Maputo Airport Maputo, Mozambique 98.3 km 61.1 mi View →
LLE Malelane Airport Malelane, South Africa 99.6 km 61.9 mi View →
KOF Komatipoort Airport Komatipoort, South Africa 104.3 km 64.8 mi View →
PDD Ponta do Ouro Airport Ponta do Ouro, Mozambique 123.1 km 76.5 mi View →

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