Two of the world’s prime tourist attractions are now connected by South Africa’s low-cost carrier, FlySafair.
The official launch of FlySafair’s newest route (its ‘Wild Route’) took place on Tuesday 2 April, in Mpumalanga, celebrating the start of these direct air services.
KRUGER AND CAPE TOWN
These new low-cost flights are good news for travellers and tourists.
The considerable distance of nearly two thousand kilometres between these iconic locations can present challenges in terms of cost and time for travellers.
The Kruger National Park is an iconic tourism destination, drawing over a million visitors and wildlife enthusiasts annually.
Similarly, the magnificent city of Cape Town ranks among the most popular global destinations for tourists.
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FLYSAFAIR BOOSTS TOURISM
The airline intends to make exploring South Africa easier and more affordable for both local and international tourists.
FlySafair Chairman Blacky Komani said that the new route was off to a good start with impressive load factors on the first flights.
“We have never had a new route that has been sold out from the start. This really is a testimony to how thick this route is going to be.”
FlySafair Chairman, Blacky Komani
He said that FlySafair had done the research and that the numbers showed that the route would be sustainable for the budget airline.
ECONOMIC ENABLER
By providing additional capacity on the route FlySafair is promoting economic development and job creation in the region.
Komani said that FlySafair’s flights will benefit both the Kruger National Park as well as other nearby game reserves and lodges, through increased tourist flows.
Komani said that FlySafair’s frequencies will be driven by numbers. If demand for these flights increases the airline will add more frequencies on the route.
“If demand is there, FlySafair will increase frequencies on the route.”
FlySafair’s, Blacky Komani
FLYSAFAIR
FlySafair started operations a little over ten years ago with just two aircraft and 300 staff.
Today the budget carrier has a fleet of 34 aircraft and it creates employment opportunities for over 2000 people. It operates flights to a number of domestic and regional destinations.
The airline launched flights to 4 destinations in neighbouring SADC countries late last year: Harare, Victoria Falls, Livingstone and Maputo.
