Johannesburg: Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has expressed her approval of Turkish Airlines' decision to increase its direct services between South Africa and Trkiye to 20 weekly flights, aiming to enhance air connectivity between the two nations.
According to South African Government News Agency, starting from October 2026, Turkish Airlines will operate 10 weekly direct flights between Istanbul and Johannesburg, along with 10 weekly flights between Istanbul and Cape Town. Currently, the airline operates seven weekly flights to each city. The additional flights are scheduled to launch ahead of South Africa's summer tourism season.
"This expansion is the result of deliberate engagements between Department of Tourism and Turkish Airlines, supported by growing demand for travel to South Africa. It is another vote of confidence in our tourism sector and aligns with our efforts to improve air access through the Tourism Growth Partnership Plan. More flights mean more visitors, more trade, more investment, and ultimately, more jobs," De Lille stated.
The increased flight frequency is backed by strong market performance. In May 2026, arrivals from Trkiye surged by 92% compared to the same month in 2025, indicating a rising demand for travel between the two countries.
South Africa's tourism sector continues to gain momentum, with a record 10.5 million international arrivals in 2025. From January to May 2026, the country welcomed 4,761,108 international visitors, marking a 12.8% year-on-year increase.
To further boost demand, South African Tourism and Turkish Airlines have agreed on a joint destination marketing campaign to promote travel between the two countries and support robust passenger demand on the expanded route network.
The announcement comes amidst a series of positive developments in South Africa's international air connectivity. In June, Spanish carrier Air Europa launched its inaugural direct service between Madrid and Johannesburg, while Brazil's LATAM Airlines recently commenced three weekly direct flights between So Paulo and Cape Town.
These developments are part of the Cabinet-approved Tourism Route Development Marketing Plan, aimed at expanding direct connectivity, strengthening strategic airline partnerships, and unlocking new tourism and investment opportunities for South Africa.