FlySafair, a low-cost airline, has announced a new route connecting Cape Town to Kruger National Park (KNP), starting 2 April 2024. This aims to increase travel accessibility between two of South Africa’s prime tourism destinations.
The route will utilise FlySafair’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with one-way ticket prices starting at R1 851. Flights are scheduled to depart from Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) at 9am every Tuesday and Saturday, landing at KNP around 11:30am.
Return flights will take off from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) at 12:05pm, reaching Cape Town approximately at 2:50pm.
The increase in domestic and international travel to Cape Town was the driving force behind Flysafair’s decision to introduce a low-cost service between CTIA and KMIA. The airline recognised a gap in the market, as Cape Town currently has limited direct flights to KNP.
As per the Sunday Tribune, Kirby Gordon, FlySafair’s chief marketing officer, commented on the increase in international tourism in Cape Town, citing a 76% increase in the first half of last year.
The festive season saw visitor numbers surpass pre-Covid levels, with 317 000 international tourists recorded at the city’s main airport.
‘Local travel to the Mother City has also grown and in the first six months of 2023 alone, Cape Town saw 3.2 million domestic two-way passengers pass through Cape Town International Airport, representing 9% year-on-year growth. As a result, many of the local tourist attractions have seen drastic increases in the number of visitors,’ Gordon explained.
The introduction of this route offers an attractive prospect for tourists to explore the iconic KNP, known for its unique biodiversity and crucial role in wildlife preservation.
Gordon said that there is potential for this new route to enhance the overall tourism experience in South Africa.
‘We hope that by introducing our low-cost option to the market, we can encourage more tourists to build a visit to Kruger into their trip itineraries, while also opening this gem to the people of the Western Cape.’
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