South African Airways confirms new domestic and regional flight routes across South Africa and Southern Africa beginning in 2025
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South African Airways confirms new domestic and regional flight routes across South Africa and Southern Africa beginning in 2025

If you’ve been itching for more flight options from South Africa, especially to places that haven’t been easily accessible before, you’re in luck.

South African Airways (SAA) is getting ready to spread its wings a bit more.

After a long period of limited operations, the airline is now officially planning to launch a series of new domestic and regional routes.

This expansion was confirmed by SAA’s Chief Commercial Officer, Tebogo Tsimane, during the recent Africa’s Travel Indaba, as reported by Travel News.

New Domestic Destinations Taking Off

SAA is looking to boost its local presence with a few key domestic routes.

These additions aim to improve connectivity between major cities and smaller regional destinations.

Here’s what’s on the radar:

  • Johannesburg to George – Scheduled to start flying in April 2026

  • Johannesburg to East London – Launch date still pending confirmation

  • Cape Town to Durban – Launch date also to be announced

These additions will be welcome news for business and leisure travelers alike, especially those tired of long layovers or roundabout routes.

Regional Flights Expanding Reach in Africa and Beyond

SAA isn’t stopping at local travel—they’re also opening up a couple of regional routes that could be a game changer:

  • Johannesburg to Gaborone (Botswana) – Taking off October 2025

  • Cape Town to Mauritius (seasonal flights) – Scheduled for November 2025

The seasonal route to Mauritius is especially exciting for holidaymakers looking for a quick island escape without too many flight connections.

Mumbai Route Delayed but Still in the Works

One highly anticipated route—direct flights from South Africa to Mumbai—has hit a temporary snag.

SAA had initially planned to launch the India route in October 2025, but challenges with securing the right aircraft have caused a delay.

The good news? The airline still plans to announce the updated route by July 2025, and they’re aiming to get flights off the ground sometime in 2026.

What’s Next for South African Travelers?

SAA’s expansion plans suggest the airline is firmly back in the game and ready to reestablish itself both locally and internationally.

More flights mean more options, less layover stress, and potentially better fares as competition grows.

If you could pick the next direct route out of South Africa, where would you want it to go?