SP gains new flights to Johannesburg and Cape Town – 06/29/2023 – Tourism

After facing a strong financial crisis that practically interrupted all its operations, this Thursday (29) South African Airways announced the resumption of its intercontinental operations, starting with São Paulo.

As of October 31, São Paulo will have four weekly direct flights to South Africa: two to Johannesburg (Mondays and Thursdays) and another two to Cape Town (Tuesdays and Saturdays), an unprecedented route.

Flights to Johannesburg will depart from Guarulhos International Airport at 5:45 pm, arriving in the South African capital at 4:15 pm; in the opposite direction, the flight takes off at 11:20 am and arrives in São Paulo at 4:15 pm. As for Cape Town, the new flight leaves Guarulhos at 6:05 pm and lands at the destination at 6:40 am; the return flight departs at 12:55 pm and arrives in São Paulo at 4:35 pm. Sales opened this Thursday (29).

“We are delighted to announce São Paulo as our first international destination, which also marks the return of our long-haul flights from Cape Town,” said John Lamola, interim CEO of the airline.

“This decision was made on the basis of a rigorous review of the route’s viability, as sustainability has been at the heart of South African’s approach since our resumption.”

In March 2020, still at the beginning of the pandemic, South African Airways suspended all its operations. The company, which was already facing financial problems, then plunged into a severe crisis, which only began to be overcome in June 2021, when the South African government decided to give up 51% of the company to a private consortium.

The announcement of the resumption of South African flights to São Paulo also marks the end of a two-year hiatus with no direct connection between Brazil and South Africa.

The Guarulhos-Johannesburg route was also operated by Latam, which suspended the operation during the pandemic, but also intends to resume it later this year, from September 2nd.

In addition to the new routes of both companies to South Africa, Brazilians can also access the African continent by flying to Luanda, with TAAG, and to Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Airlines – which extends some frequencies from São Paulo to Buenos Aires.