Due to the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the global pandemic of COVID-19, the U.S. Embassy in Eswatini, in consultation with the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini, has arranged a flight for American citizens to return home. The flight is a Boeing 777 operated by Ethiopian Airlines that departs Friday, April 10, 2020 from King Mswati III International Airport en route to the United States.
The Department of State has no greater priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas. This flight will comprise American citizens who are based in Lesotho, Botswana, South Africa, and Eswatini—all of whom wish to go home in this time of global crisis. These US citizens will be brought in by various charter flights and remain in the transit area of King Mswati III Airport. They will also undergo rigorous screening to ensure compliance with local requirements aimed at curbing COVID-19. Commercial flight options from Eswatini and surrounding countries no longer exist following the enforcement of lockdowns, and it is not certain when such flights will resume. All health precautions will be taken to the last minute, to ensure that no passengers exhibiting potential symptoms of COVID-19 are allowed to board the charter flights destined for Eswatini to connect to the main flight.
The U.S. Embassy is deeply grateful for the support of the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini, and all of the work that has gone into making this flight possible. Together we are rising to meet the historic challenge posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
