Fly Blue Crane will launch flights between Johannesburg and Mthatha on October 1.

The flights will start at R799 and the airline will fly twice daily between the two cities, according to the MEC for Eastern Cape Transport, Weziwe Tikana.

“A flight between these two cities would usually cost at least R2 400, so this flight will be a huge saving for travellers,” the MEC said.

"The Embraer 145 aircraft we operate will have better economic performance on the Johannesburg to Mthatha route compared with aircraft currently being flown on the route. This will enable us to deliver premium service at affordable rates,” Cilliers Jordaan, Planning Specialist of Fly Blue Crane told Tourism Update.

Besides tapping into the current business market flying the route, Jordaan says Fly Blue Crane will stimulate an untapped leisure market with the introduction of cheaper fares. “There are a large number of passengers from Mthatha who opt to drive to East London and then fly from there to Johannesburg because there are more affordable fares available from East London.”