With the IATA Winter season set to begin in November, the latest Route Network Update from Cape Town Air Access (CTAA), confirms a substantial boost in air connectivity just in time for the busy summer travel period. For travellers planning both international holidays and domestic adventures, the news is excellent: Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) is now served by 24 airlines, connecting the city to 30 destinations via 35 routes, totalling a massive 228 flights per week.
International Capacity Soars to Meet Demand
The European and North American markets are seeing significant seasonal ramp-ups, making travel easier than ever for intercontinental visitors. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has increased its Amsterdam (AMS) service to a strong 11 flights per week for the season, solidifying a key European link. Meanwhile, the UK connection remains robust, with Virgin Atlantic’s London Heathrow (LHR) service operating daily and Norse Atlantic boosting its London Gatwick (LGW) route to four times weekly.
A major focus this season is on North America. United Airlines has strategically adjusted its network, now offering four weekly nonstop flights to Newark (EWR) and three weekly flights to Washington D.C. (IAD), significantly enhancing access to the US East Coast.
In a major development announced on 8 October, Air France has confirmed the extension of its seasonal Paris (CDG) route until 3 May 2026, following exceptional demand. The service, operated by the state-of-the-art Airbus A350, is running daily for this extended period. Meanwhile, services from Condor (Frankfurt/FRA) and Edelweiss (Zurich/ZRH) are also back with enhanced frequencies and extended operating periods stretching well into 2026.
Domestic and Regional Links Strengthen
The update also details key enhancements for regional and domestic travellers. FlySafair has been instrumental in improving domestic access, launching a new route between Cape Town and Hoedspruit (HDS) starting October 2, 2025, offering three flights per week to the Kruger area. The airline has also increased its service to Kruger Mpumalanga (MQP) to a daily flight, ensuring seamless bush-to-beach itineraries. For the Eastern Cape, CemAir has commenced a new weekly service to East London (ELS) starting October 13, 2025.
Regionally, connectivity within Africa is expanding. Proflight Zambia has increased its Lusaka (LUN) service to three flights per week from October 18, and South African Airways (SAA) is launching a brand-new seasonal route to Mauritius (MRU) with three weekly flights starting in December.
The Bigger Picture
The overall message from CTAA is one of exceptional growth, with the sheer volume of new and expanded routes signalling the Western Cape’s status as a premier global hub, offering unprecedented convenience for all travellers this summer.
