South African Airways (SAA) has officially launched a new direct service between Cape Town (CPT) and Mauritius (MRU).
The inaugural flight took off on Tuesday, 9 December 2025, departing at full capacity, an early signal of robust market demand for the route. Operating three times weekly on a year-round basis, the new service connects two of Southern Africa’s most iconic destinations and expands travel options for both leisure and business passengers.
According to SAA Chief Commercial Officer Tebogo Tsimane, the launch represents far more than simple network growth.
“The launch of the Cape Town–Mauritius route is more than just network expansion; it is tangible evidence that SAA is back, stable, and focused on a future of profitable growth,” Tsimane said. “Our focus is on sustainable expansion, reinforcing our trusted legacy, delivering the world-class service our customers expect, and positioning SAA as the reliable partner for the future of African aviation.”
Spanning approximately 2,500 nautical miles, the CPT–MRU route links two complementary, high-demand destinations into a single seamless itinerary. Beyond tourism appeal, the new service reinforces a strategically important commercial corridor between Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean region.
South Africa is Mauritius’s second-largest source of foreign direct investment in Africa, while Cape Town continues to serve as a critical global gateway for business expansion across the continent. Mauritius, in turn, counts South Africa as a key trading partner, exporting high-value goods such as apparel and textiles.
The new direct connection also introduces faster cargo channels between the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and the Indian Ocean rim, strengthening trade flows and creating additional revenue opportunities for the airline.
“This route is a declaration of confidence in the future of African aviation,” Tsimane added. “It is a commercial victory, a celebration of connected economies, and a promise that SAA will continue to grow from strength to strength for the good of South Africa and the continent.”
Regional tourism and trade stakeholders have welcomed the new service, citing strong post-pandemic demand recovery on the Cape Town–Mauritius market.
Wesgro Chief Executive Officer Wrenelle Stander noted that traffic between the two destinations has rebounded to 93% of pre-pandemic levels between January and August 2025, with demand in 2024 exceeding available seat capacity by 16%.
“Launching a route is the beginning, not the destination,” Stander said. “Routes thrive when demand is built deliberately, together. We celebrate the belief that connectivity creates progress and possibility.”
South African Tourism has echoed this optimism. Chief Quality Officer Bronwen Auret highlighted the broader impact of enhanced air connectivity on trade and tourism growth.
“With South Africa recording an 18% year-on-year rise in arrivals from January to October, including a 14% increase from Mauritius, this route stands as a powerful reminder of what becomes possible when nations are connected,” Auret said.
For SAA, the Cape Town–Mauritius service is also a clear signal to investors, trade partners, and travellers that the national carrier is firmly focused on long-term stability and service excellence. The route strengthens SAA’s presence in the Southern African region while tapping into consistent, high-yield markets with strong tourism and business demand
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