South Africans wishing to travel to Europe now have more options for flights, with two airlines launching new routes this year.
South Africans now have additional options for travelling into Europe, with most COVID-19 restrictions having finally been lifted there.
With most airlines having slimmed down their route networks or reduced their flight schedules during the pandemic, there are bottlenecks for travellers searching for flights to destinations in Europe.
Ticket prices have also increased significantly due to supply and demand factors as well as higher global oil prices.
IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON AIRLINES
South Africa saw a number of airlines dropping SA destinations from their flight schedules over the previous two years, due to declining demand during the pandemic, or due to Covid-19 restrictions imposed by governments.
Many airlines have been slow to restart their flight schedules to destinations in South Africa while others have still not yet returned to the country. Then, there are also airlines that are starting up new routes to South Africa.
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AIR BELGIUM FLIGHTS
Belgian carrier, Air Belgium has launched flights to South Africa. This provides the first direct air link between the two countries in over 20 years, since the demise of Sabena Airlines in 2001.
The new flights between South Africa and Belgium are expected to stimulate tourism and investment between the two countries, but also offer SA passengers new gateways into Europe.
Air Belgium’s inaugural flight to South Africa touched down to a water cannon salute at OR Tambo International Airport last Thursday, 15 September. Passengers flying on this new route to and from South Africa will travel in the comfort of an Airbus A330neo.
According to Tourism Update, Air Belgium flies directly to Johannesburg and then continues on to Cape Town, as a tag flight from Johannesburg.
CONDOR AIRLINES
German carrier Condor Airlines will launch flights between Johannesburg and Frankfurt on 5 November. Although these flights into Johannesburg will only be offered during the South African summer months, Travel News states they could become permanent should there be demand.
Condor already offers scheduled flights between Frankfurt and Cape Town during the South African summer. The airline will operate the South African routes with one of its new Airbus A330neo aircraft.
Condor offers South Africans the ability to travel on to other destinations in Europe. Travellers can connect to more than 300 destinations in Europe, via Condor’s interline agreements with over 30 airlines.
By: Lorne Philpot
