Cape Town Air Access, powered by Wesgro, commends the recent announcement by FlySafair that the carrier will launch a new international service, connecting Cape Town International Airport to Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek, Namibia. Starting 22 October, with two fights per week, this service marks a significant milestone for FlySafair as they expand their operations beyond domestic borders, introducing their first-ever international route operated from Cape Town.
Namibia holds a key position in Cape Town and the Western Cape's air travel market, being the fifth-largest passenger market for the region. In 2023, more than 140 000 two-way passengers travelled between Cape Town and Namibia, showcasing the strong demand for air connectivity between the two regions. This impressive figure reflects a 17% year-on-year growth, underscoring the increasing importance of this route.
The first half of 2024 has continued this upward trend, with over 54 000 two-way passengers recorded between Cape Town and Windhoek, and an additional 15 500 passengers traveling between Cape Town and Walvis Bay. These statistics highlight the growing need for increased air services, making FlySafair's new route a timely and welcome addition.
"It is encouraging to see FlySafair secure a direct route between Cape Town and Namibia, a development poised to significantly benefit both economies. Namibia has consistently been the leading air market, and this new route will further strengthen the connectivity between our nations. By enhancing access to each other’s unique attractions, this service is expected to boost tourism, creating opportunities for economic growth in both regions," said Dr MEC Ivan Meyer, Western Cape Provincial Minister for Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Western Cape Government.
Commenting on this development, Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, City of Cape Town said: “FlySafair’s decision to introduce an international route for Cape Town underscores our city's strength and appeal as a world-class destination. This new route is particularly significant for deepening our reach into markets across Africa. Enhancing our connections with regions around the continent not only bolsters local economies but also expands job opportunities. For me, this is personal. I vividly remember flying from Cape Town to Windhoek as a young boy to visit my grandparents. Those trips sparked my lifelong fascination with travel and its power to connect people, cultures, and economies. Today, seeing Cape Town become more accessible to the rest of Africa resonates deeply with me. It's about more than just flights, it's about building bridges and creating opportunities for our people.”
Wrenelle Stander, Wesgro CEO & Official Spokesperson for Cape Town Air Access said "We are delighted to welcome FlySafair's inaugural international route, connecting Cape Town to Windhoek. This new service not only strengthens our ties with Namibia, one of our most important markets but also demonstrates the success of our ongoing efforts to expand Cape Town and the Western Cape's regional air connectivity. FlySafair's entry into the international market is a significant achievement, and we commend them for their commitment to providing more travel options for passengers."
"Connecting people to their destination is exciting for Cape Town International Airport, as this is what we do best, " said Mark Maclean, Regional General Manager for Cape Town International Airport, ACSA. He further added, "We are thrilled to see FlySafair expand their international connectivity from Cape Town to Windhoek. As the airline’s first international service from our airport, it signifies growing confidence in Cape Town as a key gateway for regional travel. As always, we remain committed to providing a world-class experience for all our passengers, ensuring that every journey through Cape Town International Airport is seamless and enjoyable. We are excited about the opportunities this new route has to offer for business and leisure travellers, further enhancing the connectivity between Cape Town and Namibia."
About Cape Town Air Access
Cape Town Air Access is a global award-winning air-route development project, acting as the focal point for pro-active air route development, for both passengers and air cargo, in Cape Town and the Western Cape. The project is powered by Wesgro - The Tourism, Trade & Investment Promotion Agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape, and through a multi-party collaborative effort between six government entities and the private sector, we strive to improve air connectivity and capacity for the Western Cape province whilst increasing economic competitiveness and job creation.