South African Airways (SAA) is spreading its wings further across Southern Africa, unveiling an ambitious route expansion plan that includes new domestic and regional routes ahead of its intercontinental service expansion. The announcement was made by Chief Commercial Officer Tebogo Tsimane during Africa’s Travel Indaba, reinforcing the flag carrier’s strategy to reclaim market share and re-establish itself as a continental leader in aviation.
New Domestic Routes to Strengthen Connectivity
Starting in April 2026, SAA will launch flights between Johannesburg and George, a move aimed at boosting access to South Africa’s scenic Garden Route region. This will be followed by additional domestic connections, including Johannesburg to East London and Cape Town to Durban, with official launch dates still pending. These routes are essential components of SAA’s effort to rebuild its domestic footprint, which has been limited since its return from business rescue in 2021.
The resumption of East London services is especially notable given the route’s historic significance for both business and leisure travellers in the Eastern Cape. Similarly, Cape Town-Durban is a high-demand route connecting two of the country’s busiest tourism and business centres. According to data from Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), pre-COVID traffic between Cape Town and Durban was among the top five domestic corridors in terms of volume.
Regional Expansion to Key Southern African Markets
From October 2025, SAA will launch flights between Johannesburg and Gaborone, Botswana’s capital, marking a strategic return to a high-value regional route previously served by multiple competitors. In a bid to tap into holidaymakers seeking tropical getaways, SAA will also begin seasonal flights between Cape Town and Mauritius from November 2025. These flights are expected to target the December holiday peak and coincide with a broader tourism recovery across the region.
Mauritius is a key market for South African leisure travellers, and Cape Town-based access is currently underserved. SAA’s entry could drive down fares and boost competition against carriers like Air Mauritius and FlySafair.
Intercontinental Ambitions on the Horizon
The domestic and regional build-up paves the way for SAA’s long-term international strategy. The airline has already confirmed its intention to launch new long-haul services to Mumbai, India, and Guangzhou, China, via Southeast Asia in 2026. These routes will mark SAA’s return to Asia, where it had once established strong links before scaling down due to financial woes.
Industry analysts suggest the Asian expansion is strategically timed with growing trade and investment flows between Africa and the East. According to the African Development Bank, China and India have become Africa’s largest trade partners, underscoring the demand for improved air links. Moreover, South Africa’s BRICS partnerships could further drive passenger and cargo traffic along these corridors.
A Cautious but Strategic Rebuild
SAA’s latest network additions reflect a steady but deliberate rebuilding process following the airline’s exit from business rescue in 2021. The state-owned carrier has gone from operating just six aircraft in 2021 to a fleet of 20 by early 2025, according to interim CEO John Lamola. With the support of strategic leasing partnerships — including aircraft from AerCap and others — the airline has been able to gradually increase frequencies and open new routes with a focus on sustainability.
Speaking at the 2024 State of Aviation Address, Lamola emphasized that the airline’s current phase is “consolidation with growth,” aiming to scale up operations without falling into previous debt traps. Recent route launches, such as Johannesburg-São Paulo, and increased frequencies to Lagos, Accra, and Kinshasa, are part of this carefully calculated strategy.
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