Domestic flights in South Africa
Of all the countries in Africa, South Africa probably is probably the best served in terms of air travel. The country has two major international airports that serve as a portal to the southern part of the continent. These airports are also the main hub for domestic flights to the many smaller airports within South Africa. While there are more routes operating in the eastern part of the country, the extensive network of domestic flights will take you almost anywhere you want to go.
O.R. Tambo International in Johannesburg is South Africa’s main airport, with routes available to every continent in the world. It is the busiest airport in Africa, and this is not just down to intercontinental travel. O.R. Tambo offers connections to every country in the southern half of Africa and also operates domestic flights to every airport in the country. These services fly at least once a day, and often twice daily or more. Cape Town International is the country’s second largest airport, and offers fewer connections than O.R. Tambo, both international and domestic. However, if you’re travelling to the western part of the country, it’s better to take an initial flight to Cape Town International if you can.
There are quite a few South African carriers that operate domestic flights from both international airports, although some serve more routes than others. When there is more than one carrier offering domestic flights to your destination, it’s best to shop around for the best price.
Here is a guide to the South African carriers that operate domestic flights, and the destinations that they fly to.
From O.R. Tambo International:
- 1Time – fly to Cape Town, Durban, East London, George and Port Elizabeth.
- Airlink – fly to George, Margate, Mafikeng, Mala Mala, Neslpruit, Phalaborwa, Pietermaritzburg, Polokwane, Umtata and Upington.
- Comair – fly to Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth.
- Interlink – fly to Cape Town and Durban.
- Kulula.com – fly to Cape Town, Durban, George and Port Elizabeth.
- Mango – fly to Cape Town and Durban.
- South African Airways – fly to Cape Town, Durban, East London, Maputo and Port Elizabeth.
- South African Express – fly to Bloemfontein, Durban, East London, George, Hoedspruit, Kimberley, Nelspruit and Richard’s Bay.
From Cape Town International:
- 1Time – fly to Durban, East London, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth.
- Airlink – fly to George, Kimberley, Nelspruit and Upington.
- Comair – fly to Durban and Johannesburg.
- Interlink – fly to Pretoria Wonderboom.
- Kulula.com – fly to Durban, Johannesburg, Lanseria and Port Elizabeth.
- Mango – fly to Bloemfontein, Durban and Johannesburg.
- South African Airways – fly to Durban and Johannesburg.
- South African Express – fly to Bloemfontein, East London, Maputo and Port Elizabeth.