The expansion of route networks by African airlines is building connectivity and boosting tourism in the Southern African region.
Several airlines have in post-pandemic times, introduced services between key tourist destinations on the continent, where these previously did not exist or were very limited.
This has helped to open up new markets and increase tourist flows because convenient connectivity enables the ability of travellers to reach places that might have entailed lengthy journeys.
During the last few years, Africa has seen some huge changes in inter-continental connectivity.
AFRICAN AIRLINES
Established African airlines such as Airlink, Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways have been instrumental in building connectivity to many destinations on the continent.
Improved frequencies and increased capacity are helping Africa’s tourist economies grow.
BUILDING CONNECTIVITY
However, they are not the only African airlines helping to improve connectivity for tourism and business. Many other smaller carriers are also working to make things happen.
Rwandair, Proflight Zambia, Zambia Airways, Malawi Airlines, LAM Mozambique Airlines, Eswatini Air, FlyNamibia, Fastjet and FlySafair have all helped to improve connectivity between key tourist destinations in the Southern and Eastern regions of the continent.
MAUN, BOTSWANA
Ethiopian will launch flights from its Addis Ababa hub to Maun in Botswana next month. This is set to make the Okavango Delta accessible to even more tourist visitors.
The service will not be direct but will follow a triangular route including a stop in Ndola Zambia, on the outbound leg.
Privately owned Fly Namibia is also launching services between Windhoek and Maun in the near future.
Three weekly direct flights will begin launch on 3 July. The seasonal service will operate until 31 October.
VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE
While several regional carriers offer flights from their hubs to Victoria Falls, others have also joined the fray, offering important links.
Fly Namibia commenced direct flights between Windhoek and Victoria Falls at the beginning of April.
Kenya Airways connects Nairobi and Cape Town, stopping in Victoria Falls, several times a week.
Privately-owned Zimbabwean value carrier, Fastjet, is growing its route network. Last year the airline increased frequencies on one of its key routes – Johannesburg to Bulawayo.
The airline will introduce flights between Victoria Falls and the Kruger National Park in July 2024. However, this will be a seasonal routing.
MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE
Mozambique’s flag carrier LAM Mozambique introduced flights between Maputo and Cape Town earlier this year.
From 19 June, Kenya Airways will introduce flights between Nairobi and Maputo, three times a week.
KIGALI, RWANDA
As well as the key routes to major hubs, Rwandair also offers flights from Kigali to Johannesburg (via Lusaka) and from Kigali to Cape Town (via Harare). This opens up connectivity for travellers.
Malawi Airlines is slated to launch flights into Kigali very soon. The airline is awaiting regulatory approvals before it announces the start date.
LUSAKA, ZAMBIA
As well as connecting Lusaka and Johannesburg, Zambia’s Proflight Zambia also offers direct flights between Lusaka and Durban as well as offering increased frequencies between Lusaka and Cape Town.
Zambia’s national carrier, Zambia Airways, is expanding its services into East Africa with the introduction of a new regional service linking Lusaka to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and Nairobi in Kenya.
Commencing on June 27, the flights will operate three times a week, stopping at Dar es Salaam and Nairobi.
ESWATINI (SWAZILAND)
Eswatini Air, the national carrier of Swaziland has also helped to improve connectivity.
The newly formed airline which launched in April 2023, flies from its Manzini hub to Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town in South Africa.
In addition, it flies to Harare in Zimbabwe.
LOW-COST AIRLINE FLIGHTS
Late last year South Africa’s low-cost carrier, FlySafair launched four major regional routes from its Johannesburg hub. The airline offers flights to Harare, Victoria Falls, Livingstone and Maputo.
On 2 April this year, it introduced flights between Cape Town and the Kruger National Park – bridging the two premium tourist destinations in South Africa.
SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIPS
The growth in airline connectivity helps to build trade and tourism.
This is an example of how stakeholders in one sector can be a catalyst for building up another sector.
Developments by one stakeholder can impact growth in another. Hence a symbiotic relationship is key for all to thrive.
MAKING THINGS HAPPEN
The progress can be attributed to a number of factors including gatherings where stakeholders convene to discuss opportunities and ideas.
Some of these developments can be attributed to efforts made by Western Cape’s Cape Town Air Access team, an initiative launched by Wesgro, to build the province’s economy.
The AviaDev Conference taking place in Windhoek Namibia, a little over a month from now is instrumental in bringing together stakeholders from various sectors including aviation, tourism, government, finance, and regulators.
Events such as this allow dialogue and open up opportunities so stakeholders can work together to enhance development.
