South African Airways (SAA) is adding some tropical flair to its network with the launch of its first-ever direct flight between Cape Town and Mauritius, starting Tuesday, 9 December 2025.
South African Airways/Adam Moreira/Wikimedia Commons
The new route marks a milestone for the airline, offering a three-times-weekly service on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays—just in time for the holiday rush.
Here’s what passengers can expect:
- Cape Town to Mauritius: Departs at 09:25, arriving at 16:30 (approximately five hours).
- Mauritius to Cape Town: Departs at 17:20, landing at 21:30.
A seasonal adjustment will reduce the frequency to twice weekly between mid-January and mid-March 2026, aligning with travel demand during quieter months, as per Business Tech reports.
SAA described the launch as a strategic step in expanding its footprint and enhancing convenience for Western Cape travellers.
“Connecting Cape Town with Mauritius is a fascinating achievement that our team has been aspiring towards for quite some time,” the airline said.
“The introduction of this route demonstrates SAA’s role in promoting leisure travel across the region and supports the broader tourism objectives for both South Africa and Mauritius.”
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More local and international routes on the radar
SAA’s announcement is just one of several exciting new air links opening up for South African travellers in late 2025 and early 2026.
FlySafair is also expanding its domestic network with a new route between Cape Town and Hoedspruit in Limpopo, with flights taking off from 2 October 2025. This route will operate three times a week on the same days as SAA’s Mauritius flight—Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
The airline said the addition will improve access to Kruger’s central region and the Limpopo province, complementing its existing service to Mbombela.
International connections heating up
Travel abroad is also getting easier for South Africans this summer. In May, Qantas confirmed the return of its Johannesburg–Perth direct flights from December 2025, offering seamless connections to Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and even New Zealand via a new Perth–Auckland route.
Meanwhile, Air France will reinstate its popular seasonal Cape Town–Paris flight, operating daily nonstop services between 15 December 2025 and 12 January 2026. The airline is capitalising on the Southern Hemisphere’s summer and Europe’s festive season.
Together with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, part of the Air France-KLM group, will provide up to 18 weekly flights to Cape Town and 32 to South Africa overall, opening more than 11,000 seats each way per week.
A new era for South African travel
With expanded domestic access and more international direct routes launching soon, South African travellers are looking at a more connected and convenient flying future—just in time for the peak summer holiday season.
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