South African Airways to link South Africa and Brazil

South African Airways (SAA) plans to launch flights between Cape Town (CPT, South Africa) and Sao Paulo (GRU, Brazil). A few days later, SAA will resume direct flights on the Johannesburg – Sao Paulo route. This will be the airlines first long-haul flight since resuming operations in 2021.

Flights on the Cape Town – Sao Paulo route are scheduled to start on the 31st of October, operating two times weekly. Johannesburg – Sao Paulo flights will resume on the 6th of November, operating two times weekly as well. According to SAA website, both flights are currently scheduled to operate using an Airbus A340-300. South African Airways will be the only airline operating on the Cape Town – Sao Paulo route but will face off with LATAM Airlines on the Johannesburg – Sao Paulo route. LATAM Airlines will operate three weekly flights starting on the 4th of September. Flights will be operated using a Boeing 787-9.

Official spokesperson for the Cape Town Air Access initiative, Wrenelle Stander, said “The direct connection has been a work in progress for the Cape Town Air Access team for five years now, we are thrilled to see our efforts finally come to fruition. A direct, non-stop connection will significantly boost the recovery of Latin American traffic to Cape Town, which stood at only 23% in 2022 compared to 2019 passenger volumes. Beyond the convenience factor, Cape Town is perfectly positioned to serve as a connecting hub between Asia and South America. The direct route will be the shortest one available to date.”