SAA set to introduce new local and regional flights

South African Airways (SAA) plans to launch new domestic and regional routes this year, expanding its service network.

SAA’s Chief Commercial Officer, Tebogo Tsimane, announced the expansion during Africa’s Travel Indaba, according to Travel News.

New routes from SAA: Where to?

Tsimane revealed that the airline would be adding services to the following destinations:

SAA domestic services:

• Johannesburg-George, launching April 2026
• Johannesburg-East London, launch date still to be confirmed
• Cape Town-Durban, launch date still to be confirmed

SAA regional services

• Johannesburg-Gaborone, launching October 2025
• Seasonal flights between Cape Town and Mauritius, launching November 2025

Flights to Mumbai delayed

In other route-related news from SAA, the airline’s initial plans to introduce flights to Mumbai, India has faced delays, due to ongoing challenges with aircraft availability.

SAA had aimed to launch its Mumbai route in October this year. But, due to difficulties acquiring suitable aircraft, the timeline has been pushed back.

SAA now aims to announce the Mumbai route and open it for sales by July this year, with flights expected to kick off 2026.