FlySafair Expands With New Eastern Cape and Kruger Routes from Lanseria and Cape Town

For South Africans planning year-end holidays, FlySafair has just dropped some welcome news. The budget airline is adding fresh routes that will make it easier and cheaper to reach some of the country’s most-loved destinations.

New Lifeline from Lanseria

From 1 November, travellers flying out of Lanseria International Airport can head straight to the Eastern Cape without detouring through OR Tambo. The new services include six weekly flights to East London’s King Phalo Airport and daily flights to Gqeberha’s Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport.

With fares starting at R770, the move opens up coastal holidays for Joburgers who prefer Lanseria’s smaller, more convenient hub. For many, it also means being able to visit family in the Eastern Cape over the festive season without facing the long drive down the N1 or N2.

Social media chatter has been buzzing since the announcement, with frequent flyers praising the choice: “Finally, Lanseria to PE! No more OR Tambo traffic,” one Joburg commuter wrote on X.

Cape Town to Safari Country

It’s not just the Eastern Cape getting more love. From 2 October, FlySafair will launch flights from Cape Town to Hoedspruit’s Eastgate Airport, priced from R1,570. The route will operate three times a week Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

For Capetonians, this opens a quicker path to the central Kruger National Park and Limpopo’s famed private reserves. Tourism operators have welcomed the route, noting that it will give both international tourists and South Africans more options when planning safaris.

Hoedspruit, with its wild bushveld backdrop, already draws thousands of visitors keen to spot lions, elephants and leopards. Until now, most Cape Town travellers had to connect through Johannesburg or endure long road trips.

Boosting Kruger Access

In addition to Hoedspruit, FlySafair will soon operate daily flights from Cape Town to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport in Mbombela. This upgrade is expected to benefit both holidaymakers and business travellers to the Lowveld.

Mbombela is a key entry point to the southern Kruger region, while Hoedspruit anchors access to the central stretch. Together, these routes give tourists better flexibility in planning safaris across different regions of the park.

More Than Just Holidays

This expansion continues FlySafair’s steady growth in 2025. Back in March, the airline launched a Lanseria–George route, tapping into the Garden Route’s booming appeal. George serves as the gateway to Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Oudtshoorn and a cluster of world-class golf courses.

Kirby Gordon, the airline’s Chief Marketing Officer, summed it up neatly: “Our goal is to connect South Africans to the people and places they love.”

It’s a simple message, but it resonates in a country where air travel is often the only realistic alternative to gruelling road trips. The new routes aren’t just about tourism; they’re about bridging distances for families and creating easier access for local businesses.

Why it Matters

FlySafair’s growth comes at a time when South Africa’s domestic travel market is rebounding. With Mango grounded and SAA still finding its feet, competition has been limited. By adding new routes out of Lanseria and Cape Town, FlySafair is filling a gap and giving travellers more choice and crucially, more affordable fares.

For holidaymakers heading to the beach, safari lovers chasing the Big Five, or families reuniting across provinces, these routes could make all the difference this summer.

Source:Business Tech 

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