South Africa is trying to bring back a major international flight route

South Africa is working to restore direct flights between the country and India, potentially giving travellers a much easier way to move between the two destinations.

President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed the plans while speaking at the India-South Africa Business Leadership Roundtable in New Delhi, held alongside the BRICS Summit.

He said restoring direct air connectivity would be important in turning the growing relationship between the two countries into greater trade, tourism and investment.

A popular travel link could return

Direct flights would remove the need for travellers to connect through destinations in the Middle East or Europe, cutting out lengthy layovers on the journey between South Africa and India.

Ramaphosa said better air connectivity would also support corporate travel and make it easier for businesses in both countries to build partnerships.

“To turn this potential into practical partnerships, we are keen to restore direct flights between South Africa and India,” he said.

The president did not provide a date for when direct services could resume or specify which airlines could operate the route.

Trade is driving the push

The proposed restoration of the international flight link forms part of a wider effort to strengthen economic ties between the two countries.

India is now South Africa’s fourth-largest trading partner, while more than 150 Indian companies have invested over $10 billion in South Africa.

Ramaphosa said there were opportunities for the two countries to work more closely in several sectors.

India’s expertise in pharmaceuticals and health technology, for example, could help South Africa expand its local production of medicines and vaccines.

India’s capabilities in information technology, financial technology and digital public infrastructure could also support the modernisation of South African systems and services.

At the same time, South Africa wants to supply India with critical minerals needed for its growing renewable energy, battery and automotive industries, with more processing potentially taking place locally.

For travellers, however, the most immediate impact of the renewed relationship could be the return of a direct route between the two countries, if the plans come to fruition.

When did South Africa last have direct flights to India?

South Africa has had a direct international flight link with India before, but it has been missing for more than 11 years.

South African Airways operated direct flights between Johannesburg and Mumbai for 19 years before the route was discontinued in 2015. The airline announced that the service would end from 1 April that year, citing poor performance and financial pressures.

Since then, South Africans travelling to India have generally had to connect through another international hub, adding time to what is already a long journey.