SAA ramps up flights to several destinations this year

SAA on the rise

South African Airways (SAA) has also announced a marked increase in its flight frequencies to several African destinations starting in November.

As reported by Travel News, there will be 12 weekly flights to both Harare, Zimbabwe and Lusaka, Zambia, an increase from the current ten times a week to Harare and seven to Lusaka, respectively.

Flights to Lagos and Accra is also set to increase from three to four times a week starting November.

In a media release, SAA Interim CEO, Professor John Lamola, said that after rapid route expansion since 2021, the airline now has aims to consolidate its position and strengthen its role in connecting Africa.

“South Africa has seen a promising travel recovery this year, with most visitors coming from other parts of Africa. Our strategic growth focuses on expanding routes based on demand and feasibility. We are also guided by our unique mandate as a national carrier to ensure that we help grow South Africa’s economy. Air travel plays a key role in building our tourism and trade links across Africa, which benefits both South Africa and the continent as a whole,” Lamola said as per Travel News. 

New route to DRC

SAA will also introduce a brand new route from Johannesburg to Lubumbashi in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

This new route will kick off from 1 November, with five flights a week from Mondays to Fridays.

Flights will go out according to the following schedule:

• Flights will depart Johannesburg Monday to Friday at 10:50, arriving in Lubumbashi at 13:20
• Returning flights will then depart Lubumbashi on the same days at 14:10, arriving in Johannesburg at 17:50

“Our 5 weekly flights, landing at 13:20 pm in Lubumbashi, ensure you have the flexibility and convenience to plan your business trips and connect seamlessly to the copper mining regions of Ndola.” the airline said on social media.

Professor Lamola said that there was strong market demand in South Africa and the DRC for direct air connectivity between the countries.

“Demand is driven by business, trade, and the fact that Johannesburg and Lubumbashi are mining powerhouse cities of the continent,” Lamola added.

More Perth flights to kick off in December

Internationally, SAA will also offer more direct flights between Perth and Johannesburg from early December.

As previously reported, from 8 December, SAA will increase the frequency of its direct Johannesburg-Perth service to four flights a week, with an increase to five flights a week from 7 January 2025.