After years of stopovers and roundabout connections, South Africa is edging closer to restoring a direct air link with India — a move that could reshape travel and trade between the two nations.
Mumbai–Joburg: The First Big Step
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has confirmed that a Mumbai–Johannesburg direct flight is at the top of its agenda. It’s been more than a decade since South African Airways (SAA) last flew to India, but the national carrier is now aiming to resume services in 2026 after a long hiatus caused by restructuring and aircraft shortages.
Mpho Rambau, ACSA’s Acting Group Manager for Traffic Development, said extensive market research had proven that the demand is there. With over 126 000 annual passengers currently travelling between the two countries — mostly through connecting hubs in the Middle East — the business case is “commercially viable and ready to go.”
Connecting Cape Town And Durban Too
Johannesburg may be the main hub, but the long-term plan stretches further. ACSA has set its sights on eventually linking Mumbai not just to Joburg, but also to Cape Town and Durban. Delhi–Johannesburg is another route flagged for the future, tapping into India’s growing outbound travel market and deepening trade ties.
Cape Town has been lobbying hard. In March, James Vos, the city’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Development, met with airline executives and government leaders to push for a direct flight. “We’ve been running campaigns in India, building partnerships and preparing Cape Town as a strong destination. The interest is real,” Vos said.
Tourism And Trade Growth On The Line
The stakes are high. India is one of South Africa’s top 15 priority growth markets and was the country’s seventh-largest overseas source of tourists in the first half of 2025. Just over 42 600 Indian travellers arrived between January and July — a number still below pre-pandemic highs, but with strong growth potential.
SA Tourism has set a target of attracting more than 133 000 annual visitors from India by 2030, with yearly growth of around 5.7%. Direct flights would be a crucial catalyst, cutting travel times and opening the door for more leisure tourists, business travellers, and diaspora connections.
More Than Just Flights
The push for direct India connections comes as part of a bigger picture: diversifying South Africa’s air links beyond Europe and the Middle East. In a world where tourism campaigns and business ties increasingly rely on seamless travel, a Johannesburg–Mumbai route is more than symbolic. It’s a sign that South Africa is ready to compete for Asia’s fast-growing outbound traveller base.
For now, all eyes are on 2026 — and whether passengers flying between India and South Africa will finally be able to skip the stopover.
Image Source: aboodi vesakaran on Unsplash
