Latest news with #SAA
The South African
6 hours ago
- Business
- The South African
A new international flight from Cape Town kicks off this December
South African Airways (SAA) is set to expand its regional network with the launch of its first-ever direct flights between Cape Town and Mauritius. The service will take off on Tuesday, 9 December 2025, offering travellers in the Western Cape a faster and more convenient link to the popular African island nation. The new international route is expected to boost tourism for both South Africa and Mauritius. The airline will initially operate three weekly flights to the island on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, according to the following schedule: Outbound flight: Departs Cape Town at 09:25, arriving in Mauritius at 16:30 (approximately five hours). Departs Cape Town at 09:25, arriving in Mauritius at 16:30 (approximately five hours). Return flight: Departs Mauritius at 17:20, landing in Cape Town at 21:30. Then, from mid-January to mid-March 2026, the route will shift to twice-weekly operations to align with seasonal travel demand. SAA described the launch as a key milestone in its network strategy as well as a win for leisure travellers. 'Connecting Cape Town with Mauritius is a fascinating achievement that our team has been aspiring towards for quite some time,' the airline said, as per BusinessTech . 'The introduction of this route demonstrates SAA's role in promoting leisure travel across the region and supports the broader tourism objectives for both South Africa and Mauritius.' it added. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Time Out
6 hours ago
- Business
- Time Out
The Airlink sale you don't want to miss + SAA to launch new Mauritius route
It's the Airlink sale you don't want to miss - today only! Airlink is running a special one-day promotion today, Tuesday, 29 July 2025, offering 30% off the base fare on selected flights. Tickets are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase, making it the perfect time to plan and save. It's the perfect time to plan your mini-break from Cape Town to Durban, Namibia or St Helena - all routes offered by the Southern African airline. Full details and bookings for the limited Airlink sale are available here. SAA Launches Direct Cape Town–Mauritius Flights Ahead of Festive Season South African Airways (SAA) will launch a new direct route between Cape Town and Mauritius from Tuesday, 9 December 2025, enhancing regional connectivity for travellers in the Western Cape. Flights will operate three times a week—on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays—with two departure time options. Each leg of the journey will take approximately five hours. Between mid-January and mid-March 2026, flights will reduce to twice weekly in line with seasonal demand. SAA CEO Professor John Lamola says the route supports broader tourism goals for both countries, while CCO Tebogo Tsimane highlights the schedule's alignment with peak travel periods.
Gulf Today
8 hours ago
- Gulf Today
Wadi Al Helo, Mleiha top priorities for world heritage
Sharjah Archaeology Authority (SAA) is working relentlessly and sparing no effort after the global achievement of Al Faya being included on the Unesco's World Heritage List, said Eisa Yousef, director general of SAA. He revealed future plans to highlight the exceptional value of other sites, most notably Wadi Al Helo in the Eastern Region and Mleiha archaeological site in the Central Region, both of which are on Unesco's tentative list. Yousef explained the success of Al Faya's nomination file with support from 13 of the 21 countries on the World Heritage Committee, which represents international recognition of the authenticity and importance of the site. He pointed out that this achievement brings strategic gains for the UAE and Sharjah since it highlights the region as a pivotal part of human history, encourages the attraction of specialised and sustainable cultural tourism and provides diverse job opportunities such as specialised tour guides. These goals are achieved through close institutional co-operation as embodied in the key role played by Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) through the Mleiha Archaeological Centre, by the Environment and Protected Areas Authority through the Jebel Buhais Geology Park and by Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority in promoting tourism destinations, he said. Recently, Simona-Mirela Miculescu, President of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), commended the pioneering role played by the United Arab Emirates in protecting and preserving cultural and natural heritage both nationally and globally. She affirmed that the UAE is a key partner of the Paris-based organisation and a model to be emulated in this field. This praise came during an interview with the Emirates News Agency (WAM) in Paris, where Miculescu expressed her appreciation for the UAE's recent success in inscribing the Faya Palaeolandscape in Sharjah on the Unesco World Heritage List. Miculescu described this achievement as a powerful message reflecting the UAE's deep commitment to preserving shared human memory and recognising the value of heritage sites as bridges for dialogue and understanding between peoples. She emphasised that the UAE's role extends beyond its national borders, stating: 'The UAE not only protects its own national heritage but also takes the initiative to help safeguard global heritage. This reflects its civilisational vision and ethical responsibility toward all humanity.' Miculescu noted that the UAE is among Unesco's principal partners, having provided clear support for major international initiatives, including the rehabilitation of heritage sites damaged by conflict, particularly in the Arab region. Regarding the exceptional value of the Faya archaeological site, Miculescu explained: 'Faya is not merely an archaeological site. It stands as evidence of early stages in human development and illustrates human interaction with the natural environment in an area of exceptional geological and cultural significance.' She highlighted that what makes the site distinctive is its direct connection to the first human migrations from Africa to Asia — a critical phase in human history that continues to be the subject of intense academic study. The documented discoveries at the site, she added, offer rich material for researchers and anthropologists. The Unesco official praised the efforts that led to this international recognition, saying: 'Its inscription on the World Heritage List is a highly significant step, made possible by meticulous scientific work and long-term efforts by the UAE in collaboration with international experts, all in accordance with Unesco's rigorous standards. The UAE's nomination file was comprehensive and compelling, and we highly value this level of professionalism.' She also applauded the UAE's approach to integrating heritage preservation with sustainable development plans, emphasising that the country sets an example of how heritage sites can serve as a foundation for both cultural and economic development. This is achieved through investment in sustainable tourism and by involving local communities in the management and protection of these sites. She described the UAE's experience as a model for other countries in the region and around the world.
IOL News
9 hours ago
- Business
- IOL News
South African Airways connects Cape Town to Mauritius with new direct flights
There is no shortage of activities to explore beyond the sandy beaches in Mauritius. Flights are set to start on December 9, with flights scheduled to operate three times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. South African Airways (SAA) has announced plans to initiate its first-ever direct flights between Cape Town and Mauritius . "Connecting Cape Town with Mauritius is a fascinating achievement that our team has been aspiring towards for quite some time. The introduction of this route demonstrates SAA's role in promoting leisure travel across the region and supports the broader tourism objectives for both South Africa and Mauritius," said SAA chief executive officer, Professor John Lamola. In light of evolving travel demands, a temporary adjustment will occur between mid-January and mid-March 2026. "This convenience of the flight schedule was carefully developed through rigorous engagement with our South African tour operator partners to ensure it aligns with traveler preferences and peak holiday planning," added Tebogo Tsimane, chief commercial officer. For travellers venturing to the tropical paradise of Mauritius, there is no shortage of activities to explore beyond the sandy beaches.
The South African
a day ago
- Business
- The South African
SAA launches new flight route to popular African island
South African Airways (SAA) has announced a major expansion of its flight network with the launch of its first-ever direct route between Cape Town and Mauritius, set to take off in December 2025. This strategic addition underscores the national carrier's growing footprint in regional leisure travel and marks a significant milestone for both the airline and the tourism sectors of South Africa and Mauritius. The new service will commence on Tuesday, 9 December, operating three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Cape Town to Mauritius Departure: 09:25 | Arrival: 16:30 | Arrival: Flight duration: Approximately 5 hours and 5 minutes and Mauritius to Cape Town Departure: 17:20 | Arrival: 21:30 | Arrival: Flight duration: Approximately 6 hours and 10 minutes Between mid-January and mid-March 2026, the route will operate twice weekly to reflect seasonal travel trends, SAA said. 'Connecting Cape Town with Mauritius is a fascinating achievement that our team has been aspiring towards for quite some time,' the airline stated. 'The introduction of this route demonstrates SAA's role in promoting leisure travel across the region and supports the broader tourism objectives for both South Africa and Mauritius.' The announcement comes amid a flurry of new local and international flight routes being launched in and out of South Africa. FlySafair: Cape Town – Hoedspruit (Limpopo) Launching on 2 October 2025 , this new route will operate three times a week (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays), enhancing access to the central Kruger region and Limpopo province . Launching on , this new route will operate (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays), enhancing access to the and . Qantas: Johannesburg – Perth (Australia) Qantas will resume its direct route between Johannesburg and Perth in December 2025 , offering smooth connections to Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide , and even New Zealand via its new Perth-Auckland flight. Qantas will resume its between Johannesburg and Perth in , offering smooth connections to , and even via its new Perth-Auckland flight. Air France: Cape Town – Paris From 15 December 2025 to 12 January 2026, Air France will resume its seasonal nonstop service between Cape Town and Paris, just in time for the holiday season. Partnered with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Air France-KLM will offer a total of 18 weekly flights to Cape Town and 32 flights per week across South Africa, unlocking over 11 000 seats in each direction every week. With travel demand soaring and the tourism sector rebounding strongly, these new routes mark a significant boost for both domestic and international connectivity, offering South African travelers more direct options than ever before. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
