South African Airways (SAA) has expanded its regional and international footprint with the official launch of a new direct service between Cape Town (CPT) and Mauritius (MRU), reinforcing the airline’s recovery and long-term growth strategy. The inaugural flight took off on Tuesday, 9 December 2025, departing at full capacity, an early sign of strong market appetite for the route. Operating three times weekly on a year-round basis, the service provides a seamless link between two of Southern Africa’s most attractive leisure and business destinations, offering travelers faster, more convenient access while supporting growing trade and tourism ties.
SAA Chief Commercial Officer Tebogo Tsimane described the launch as more than a simple addition to the airline’s route map, saying it reflects renewed confidence in the airline’s stability and future direction. He emphasized that SAA is focused on sustainable expansion, profitable growth, and delivering world-class service, while re-establishing itself as a trusted partner in African aviation. Covering approximately 2,500 nautical miles, the Cape Town–Mauritius route connects two complementary, high-demand markets and strengthens a strategically important commercial corridor between Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean region.
Beyond its tourism appeal, the route supports deeper economic links, with South Africa standing as Mauritius’s second-largest source of foreign direct investment in Africa, while Mauritius remains a key trading partner for South Africa, exporting high-value products such as apparel and textiles. The direct service also introduces faster cargo connections between the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and the Indian Ocean rim, improving supply chain efficiency and opening new revenue opportunities for the airline.
Tourism and trade stakeholders across the region have welcomed the new route, pointing to a strong post-pandemic recovery in demand between the two destinations. Wesgro Chief Executive Officer Wrenelle Stander noted that traffic between Cape Town and Mauritius recovered to 93% of pre-pandemic levels between January and August 2025, while demand in 2024 exceeded available seat capacity by 16%, highlighting the commercial strength of the market. She added that routes succeed when demand is built collaboratively, underscoring the role of partnerships in sustaining long-term connectivity.
South African Tourism has also expressed optimism about the route’s broader impact, with Chief Quality Officer Bronwen Auret noting that South Africa recorded an 18% year-on-year increase in international arrivals from January to October, including a 14% rise from Mauritius, demonstrating the power of improved air links to stimulate travel and trade.
For SAA, the Cape Town–Mauritius service sends a clear message to investors, business partners, and travelers that the national carrier is firmly focused on stability, service excellence, and strategic growth. By strengthening its presence in Southern Africa and tapping into high-yield leisure and business markets, the new route positions SAA to play a stronger role in regional connectivity, economic integration, and the continued recovery of African aviation.
