News

Direct flights between UK and South Africa set to pass 2019 levels

The number of direct flights between the UK and South Africa is set to exceed pre-pandemic levels from November.

British Airways will resume its Gatwick service to Cape Town three times a week from November, as well as its twice daily flights from Heathrow to the South African capital.

Meanwhile Virgin Atlantic will resume daily flights from Heathrow to Cape Town, which were paused during the pandemic.


More: South Africa removes all Covid restrictions


Both airlines also offer daily flights from Heathrow to Johannesburg.

The South African tourism board has welcomed the news and predicted there will be a surge of Britons visiting the country.

Kgomotso Ramothea, South African Tourism UK & Ireland acting hub head, said: “South Africa is well known as an amazing destination for winter sun, and the increase in flights will be a great boost to tourism, not only for Cape Town and Johannesburg, but beyond the cities into the regions, which offer unique experiences for British travellers.

“The fact that the number of flights to Cape Town this autumn/winter will be above pre-pandemic levels shows that the city still has the hearts of the British traveller.”

Share article

View Comments

Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.