Emirates inks South African interline agreement

By Wesley Charnock Nov 16, 2020
The deal is with FlySafair, which says it is offering 75% of the available domestic seat capacity in South Africa this month.
Airports & Networks

Lift to launch with two routes from Johannesburg

By David Casey Nov 12, 2020
The latest addition to South Africa’s skies has revealed its inaugural routes.
Airports & Networks

Recovery Tracker: Air Seychelles, ANA, Condor and more

By David Casey Oct 09, 2020
A weekly round-up of the latest news from the aviation industry as airlines and airports seek to recover from the COVID-19 crisis.
Airports & Networks

Recovery Tracker: Lufthansa, British Airways, Qatar Airways and more

By David Casey Oct 02, 2020
A weekly round-up of the latest news from the aviation industry as airlines and airports seek to recover from the COVID-19 crisis.
Airports & Networks

Recovery Tracker: Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Airlink and more

By David Casey Sep 25, 2020
A weekly round-up of the latest news from the aviation industry as airlines and airports seek to recover from the COVID-19 crisis.
Airports & Networks

Delta adds second South Africa destination, resumes US-China flights

By David Casey Jun 23, 2020
More than a decade after suspending service to Cape Town, the South African city will return to Delta Air Lines’ network in October. The airline is also set to resume flights to China for the first time since February.
Airports & Networks

BA plans long-haul route resumptions

By David Casey Jun 04, 2020
British Airways has filed tentative plans to increase its long-haul flying in July.
Airports & Networks

Virgin Atlantic to expand Heathrow network

By David Casey May 13, 2020
Virgin Atlantic has revealed its flying program for summer 2021, with plans to fly to 24 destinations.
Airports & Networks

These are the busiest air routes in Africa

By David Casey May 22, 2018
Routesonline analyses the top ten busiest air routes to, from and within Africa by passenger numbers, with the number one in the list a two-hour domestic flight costing less than $80.
Airports & Networks

Africa's aviation industry by numbers - the latest trends and data

By David Casey Aug 03, 2017
Routesonline analyses the African aviation industry, taking a monthly look at the top routes served and revealing the airlines that are dominating the market. We also rank the top ten airports by available seat capacity and examine the most common aircraft used.
Airports & Networks

How South African aviation could turn the tables

Jun 26, 2017
As South Africa’s major airports set new passenger records, the country’s tourism boom could help alleviate its economic woes
Airports & Networks

SA Airlink to launch E-Jet operations in South Africa

By Richard Maslen Jan 21, 2017
The airline has agreed to initially acquire five E-Jets - three E170s and two E190s, from ECC Leasing, a wholly-owned Embraer subsidiary. It will start to receive the aircraft in the first half of this year with a further eight E190s joining the Airlink fleet subject to formalisation of lease deals.
Airports & Networks

Windshear concerns delay opening of St Helena’s new airport

By Richard Maslen May 04, 2016
The new airport will completely revolutionise not only travel for the residents of St Helena, but will boost tourism. Located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, more than 2,000 kilometres from the nearest major landmass. It is currently linked to the world by RMS St Helena which sails between the island and Cape Town, a five day adventure across, at times, rough seas, but which is due to retire from service in July.
Airports & Networks

Remote island of Saint Helena gains lifeline with first air link

Apr 18, 2016
The new airport will completely revolutionise travel to and from the island. At present, Saint Helena is accessible by a boat trip that takes around five days from Cape Town.
Airports & Networks

Etihad continues to deploy Dreamliners in existing markets

By Richard Maslen Dec 21, 2015
Etihad currently operates five 787-9s serving the markets of Brisbane, Washington, Singapore and Zurich from its Abu Dhabi International Airport hub. The type will become the UAE national carrier’s flagship long-haul aircraft in the coming years with a further 66 aircraft due to be delivered.
Airports & Networks

Durban Airport Celebrates Future Arrival of Qatar Airways

Sep 20, 2015
Gulf carrier Qatar Airways confirmed in February this year that it would introduce flights to this year’s World Routes host city as part of an expansion of its network in South Africa. The four times weekly service, as an extension of an expanded schedule between Doha and Johannesburg, will be launched from December 17, 2015, just three months after World Routes, providing an important new hub connection offering to the coastal city.
Airports & Networks

What are The World's Longest Scheduled Flights?

By Richard Maslen Aug 13, 2015
What are the world's longest scheduled air routes by distance and block time? As Emirates Airline reveals plans to launch a Dubai - Panama City route in February 2016, Routesonline investigates.
Airports & Networks

fastjet Boosts International Frequencies to Meet Growing Demand

By Richard Maslen Aug 11, 2015
This winter, fastjet will add additional capacity on routes to Johannesburg, South Africa; Harare, Zimbabwe and its recently launched service to Lilongwe, Malawi this winter, as well as increasing its domestic offering to Kilimanjaro and Mwanza.
Airports & Networks

Namibia Flyafrica Sets September Launch Date

Aug 06, 2015
Flights were initially intended to commence operation in February, but this was delayed, and now the airline is planning to launch on September 2, 2015 from the Namibian capital.
Airports & Networks

FlySafair Confirms Next-Generation Entry

By Richard Maslen Jul 24, 2015
The low-cost airline currently has a fleet of five older 737-400 models and will use the 737-800s to support growth in existing markets and to support future network expansion. The additional capacity of the 737-800 versus the 737-400 of around 20 seats mean a like-for-like aircraft deployment switch will boost capacity by around 12.5 per cent.
Airports & Networks

Rainbow Airlines Takes to the Air Ahead of Scheduled Launch

By Richard Maslen Jul 22, 2015
The conventional, full-service airline plans to inaugurate operations into neighbouring South Africa from August 26, 2015 and alongside serving OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg plans to add links to Cape Town. It also plans to begin domestic operations to the redeveloped Victoria Falls International Airport.
Airports & Networks

Turkish Airlines Provides Another Global Connection to Durban

By Richard Maslen Jul 16, 2015
Durban will be Turkish Airlines’ third destination in South Africa after Johannesburg and Cape Town. The airline first introduced flights into the country with a three times weekly joint operation to Johannesburg and onward to Cape Town from its Istanbul Ataturk International Airport hub in September 2007 but has grown to offer a daily service on the route, currently flown using an Airbus A330.
Airports & Networks

FlySafair Adds Durban and East London Flights in Domestic Growth

By Richard Maslen Jun 23, 2015
South African low-cost carrier, FlySafair, is to introduce new links from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Durban and East London after initially asking the public to vote for their preferred new route among the four city pairs. The airline launched the campaign earlier this month, but rather than simply selecting the most popular choice, has decided to launch all four from the end of October 2015.
Airports & Networks

Skywise Airline Set to Debut Second South African Route

By Richard Maslen Jun 20, 2015
Independent South African carrier, Skywise Airlines, will announce at least one new market next month as it expands its fleet and builds on the success of its debut on the busy Johannesburg – Cape Town route. The carrier says it will bring more value to domestic travellers with the introduction of an expanded network, launching from August 2015.
Airports & Networks

Ethiopian to Start Flights to Cape Town and Gaborone

May 21, 2015
The largest airline in Africa, Ethiopian Airlines has announced that it has finalised preparations to start flights to Cape Town – its second destination in South Africa, and Gaborone in Botswana.
Airports & Networks