South Africa getting three new international flights
South Africa is set to get three new direct flight routes, offering travellers more convenient access to Spain, Mozambique, and Zanzibar.
These developments come as airlines respond to strong travel demand, growing tourism, and expanding business links across Africa and abroad.
The largest of the new routes is the planned direct service between South Africa and Spain, to be operated by Air Europa.
The carrier has been granted the rights to fly three times a week between the two countries, although regulatory and operational processes are still underway before flights can officially begin.
Six weekly flight slots remain open for other airlines, but Air Europa will have first priority if more than one carrier shows interest in operating the route.
The route represents a potentially significant shift for South African travellers. At present, flying to Spain typically involves a layover in a hub such as Amsterdam, Dubai, Addis Ababa, or Doha.
For many travellers, a non-stop flight will offer shorter travel time and less hassle. Travel specialist Carla Vickers said the introduction of direct flights could benefit both tourism and business travel.
She believes it may also make travel to neighbouring Portugal easier for South Africans, given the close proximity and onward travel options from Spain.
However, she added that pricing will be key. Affordable fares would be essential not only to attract demand but also to make direct travel a realistic choice for South Africans, who often compare multiple route options to secure the best value.
Despite this, Vickers believes the route holds strong promise, as travellers generally prefer avoiding stops whenever possible.
Closer to home, regional airline Airlink is expanding its footprint in Mozambique with a new twice-weekly service between Johannesburg and Nacala, scheduled to begin on 2 February 2026.
Nacala, located in Mozambique’s northeast, is considered an economically important port city, and the new flights will add to Airlink’s existing network in the country.
New Airlink fleet
The airline already operates flights to Maputo, Beira, Nampula, Pemba, Tete, and Vilanculos, and the addition of Nacala will take its Mozambican destinations to seven.
The new flights will run on Mondays and Fridays, departing Johannesburg mid-morning and returning in the afternoon.
Airlink CEO de Villiers Engelbrecht says the added route will create valuable new travel and trade opportunities by providing improved access to a region with growing commercial and tourism activity.
The service will be operated using the carrier’s Embraer regional jets, aircraft known for being quieter, efficient, and well-suited to shorter cross-border routes.
Airlink is also preparing to open a new leisure-focused link to Zanzibar in 2026. This route will be operated with the airline’s newest fleet addition, the Embraer E195-E2.
This new aircraft is a next-generation jet that offers improved fuel efficiency, lower emissions, and a more comfortable cabin.
The Johannesburg–Zanzibar flights are set to begin in June 2026, and tickets are already available for purchase.
The launch comes as Airlink continues to expand its broader Africa network, which currently spans over 45 destinations across 15 countries and includes more than 60 aircraft operating in the region.
Additionally, South Africa is also retaining stronger European connectivity for longer each year.
German leisure carrier Condor has extended its seasonal Frankfurt–Cape Town flights, which were originally due to end in April 2026, to now run through to 22 May 2026.
The decision follows sustained high demand, particularly from travellers seeking late-autumn sunshine in South Africa when Europe is still firmly in spring.
The extension also reflects a broader trend of European airlines keeping services to southern destinations active for longer, as travellers increasingly look beyond the traditional summer peak for more flexible holiday dates.
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