With effect from October 1 – subject to final government approval – the Lufthansa Group will once again offer regular commercial flights to and from South Africa

This follows the announcement last Wednesday (September 16) by President Cyril Ramaphosa that South Africa would open its international borders – with some international country exclusions based on risk – on October 1.

“We believe this signifies the start of a turnaround point for all our local customers and business partners in the travel industry which endured many hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said GM Southern Africa and East Africa for the Lufthansa Group, Dr André Schulz, in an open letter to the travel trade over the weekend.

As part of the group’s initial ramp-up strategy, it will offer three weekly Lufthansa flights between Johannesburg and Frankfurt, operated on a Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

“We will also be offering a weekly service between Johannesburg and Zurich with SWISS International Air Lines,” added Schulz.

He said Lufthansa would also introduce twice weekly direct services between Cape Town and Frankfurt later in October.

“Depending on travel demand for the upcoming high season, we will further increase our capacity to and from South Africa,” said Schulz.