Low-cost airline FlySafair will be launching a direct route between Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) just outside the Kruger National Park (KNP).

The inaugural flight for this route is planned for April 2 and will make use of FlySafair’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

Flights will leave Cape Town at 09:00 every Tuesday and Saturday and land at KMIA at about 11:30 on those days.

The aircraft will then be turned around, taking off from KMIA at 12:05 and landing at CTIA at about 14:50.

“This new route makes travelling between the two tourism hot spots more accessible for both local and international holidaymakers,” the company says.

Kruger Gate Hotel CEO Anton Gillis comments that FlySafair joins the ranks of Airlink and CemAir, which already operate on the route.

He adds that these airlines are doing so at “a very competitive price point” and that this bodes well for travellers.

“Not only will the addition of this route to the FlySafair roster further enable especially international visitors to easily and conveniently get from the Mother City to [the KNP], it will also boost the local economy of Mpumalanga and surrounds,” he says.

“We are very pleased to be able to start the year off with such an exciting new route. Although flights to areas surrounding the KNP are readily available from Johannesburg, there are limited commercial flight options from Cape Town,” says FlySafair chief marketing officer Kirby Gordon.

FlySafair posits that the addition of more capacity and a low-cost carrier to the route between CTIA and KMIA offers an opportunity to spread the tourism success currently being experienced in Cape Town to other attractions across the country.

Cape Town recorded a 76% increase in international tourism between January and July last year. Moreover, in the first six months of 2023, there were 3.2-million domestic two-way passengers passing through CTIA, representing a 9% year-on-year growth, FlySafair points out, adding that many local tourist attractions benefitted from this.

“The KNP is one of the most spectacular and unique tourist attractions South Africa has to offer. Beyond acting as an important source of income for surrounding communities, it also plays an important role in preserving our country’s biodiversity and wildlife heritage.

“Growing this route will encourage international tourists and Cape Town locals to extend their holidays to include a visit to the park. This is likely to have a marked positive effect on overall tourism in South Africa,” the company avers.

“Cape Town and the KNP are two of our country's most popular tourist destinations. Unfortunately, though, they sit in opposite corners of our country, making travel between them both inconvenient and costly.

“We hope that by introducing our low-cost option to the market, we can encourage more tourists to build a visit to [the KNP] into their trip itineraries, while also opening this gem to the people of the Western Cape,” says Gordon.

Airports Company South Africa CEO Mpumi Mpofu this week reported that urban and safari tourism is on the rise, creating growth for Africa and South Africa. 

“FlySafair’s new Cape Town to Kruger route is a blessing for inbound tourism in South Africa. With Cape Town’s international two-way passenger figures soaring to 1.4-million in the first half of 2023 alone, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, and the Kruger Park attracting around four million visitors last year, it’s clear that these destinations hold a special place on the global travel map,” says Southern Africa Tourism Services Association CEO David Frost.

He also mentions that this initiative underscores the emphasis on inclusive growth in the tourism sector.

"We’re committed to ensuring the benefits of increased tourism are spread across communities, particularly focusing on empowering local businesses and historically marginalised groups to partake in the tourism value chain. This route is more than a convenience; it’s a strategic step towards a more interconnected and inclusive South African travel experience,” Frost highlights. 

“Until now, connectivity between these two popular locations has been limited. The introduction of FlySafair’s new route will draw more travellers to both regions, as well as the nearby Cape Winelands. The route is especially good news for multigenerational travellers, offering access to various encounters catering to different ages and preferences. The industry is bridging gaps not just geographically but across generations, too," posits Flight Centre Travel Group South Africa MD Euan McNeil. 

“This new flight route is a game-changer and a fantastic addition to FlySafair’s already impressive network. It seamlessly connects two of the most coveted travel experiences in South Africa. Visitors no longer have to choose between the urban charm of Cape Town or the raw wilderness of the Kruger Park – they can effortlessly enjoy both. The route significantly contributes to creating an interconnected South African travel experience and is certain to escalate our position in the global tourism arena,” says Giltedge Travel Group CEO Murray Gardiner.