LIFT Expands Fleet as Domestic Travel Surges Across South Africa’s Golden Triangle
South African domestic airline LIFT is preparing for one of its busiest festive seasons yet, driven by rising demand, strong early bookings and positive forecasts from tourism organisations in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. To meet peak travel along Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, known as the Golden Triangle, LIFT added two additional aircraft from November. Cilliers Jordaan, Chief Commercial Officer at LIFT, says early bookings show strong confidence from South African travellers. “Many are locking in holiday plans earlier, staying longer and travelling in larger groups. Our added fleet capacity allows us to meet this growing demand.” Rising international arrivals and
Qantas Expands Western International Hub with New Perth–Auckland–Johannesburg Links
Qantas has marked a major milestone in strengthening its western international network, launching new direct services that connect Perth with Auckland and Johannesburg. The expanded links reinforce Perth’s growing role as a strategic long-haul gateway and offer travellers more seamless access between Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The inaugural rotation took place on Sunday, when an Airbus A330-200 operated flight QF112 from Auckland to Perth before continuing onwards to Johannesburg as QF65. This new routing not only enhances connectivity but also positions Perth as a key transit point for passengers heading between Oceania and Southern Africa. According to Qantas, the addition
FlySafair Spreads Festive Cheer with “Santa’s Sleigh” Livery
This holiday season, FlySafair is bringing a touch of magic to South African skies with its very first Christmas-themed aircraft livery. The airline’s Boeing 737-800 (ZS-SJV) has been transformed into “Santa’s Sleigh,” featuring a playful design where Santa’s sleigh is pulled not by reindeer but by a springbok, zebra and gemsbok, racing across the country’s skies. The festive livery was conceived to celebrate the joy of the holiday season and to create a memorable experience for passengers travelling in December. It embodies the spirit of South Africa, blending local wildlife and a sense of fun with the timeless tradition of Santa’s journey.
Emirates and SAA Strengthen Codeshare Partnership
Emirates and South African Airways (SAA) are expanding their nearly 30-year partnership with a reciprocal codeshare agreement, enhancing connectivity across South Africa, Africa, and the globe. The agreement allows Emirates passengers to travel seamlessly from Johannesburg to Cape Town, Durban, and Gqeberha, as well as 13 regional destinations including Lagos, Accra, Windhoek, and Mauritius. SAA customers continue to enjoy access to Dubai on Emirates’ 56 weekly flights, plus 68 additional global destinations via interline connections. Since January 2025, over 45,000 passengers have benefited from the partnership. The agreement was signed at the 2025 Dubai Airshow by Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and
Flydubai signs landmark agreement for 150 A321neo aircraft becoming a new Airbus customer
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 18 November 2025 – flydubai has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for 150 A321neo aircraft marking the airline’s first order with Airbus and one of its largest fleet commitments to date. The agreement highlights flydubai’s confidence in Dubai’s long-term growth and its alignment with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of flydubai, signed the MoU with Christian Scherer, CEO Commercial Aircraft at Airbus, during a ceremony on the second day of the Dubai Airshow 2025. flydubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith was also in attendance. Sheikh Ahmed said
AerCap Signs Lease Agreements with FlySafair for Five Boeing 737 Aircraft
AerCap Holdings has announced a major fleet expansion deal with South African low-cost carrier FlySafair confirming lease agreements for three new Boeing 737 MAX 8s and two Boeing 737-800NGs. The announcement was made at the Dubai Airshow 2025. The 737 MAX 8 aircraft are scheduled for delivery from the first quarter of 2028 while the 737-800NGs are expected to arrive from the third quarter of 2026. Peter Anderson, AerCap’s Chief Commercial Officer said the company was pleased to welcome FlySafair as a new customer and support its fleet modernisation strategy. He noted that AerCap appreciated the partnership and wished the airline success
Air Senegal Commits to First Boeing 737 MAX Order
Air Senegal has announced a major fleet expansion with its commitment to purchase nine Boeing 737-8 aircraft marking the carrier’s first Boeing order in more than 20 years. Revealed at the Dubai Airshow on 17 November 2025 the deal represents the airline’s largest-ever fleet acquisition and signals a significant step in its long-term growth strategy. The new 737-8s will strengthen Air Senegal’s single-aisle operations while supporting its plans to grow regional and intercontinental services. The airline intends to expand its European network and launch new routes from Dakar to destinations in the Middle East and the Americas. The aircraft will also enable
LIFT Reveals Top 5 Designs for Birthday Tail Competition
South Africans have truly showcased their creativity! LIFT recently asked the public to design a special birthday livery for its aircraft, and the response was overwhelming. With nearly 3,000 submissions, the airline has now narrowed it down to the Top 5 designs that will compete to be the next iconic LIFT birthday tail. The competition isn’t over yet — now it’s up to South Africa to decide which design will take to the skies. Every vote counts, and to make it even more exciting, one lucky voter will win a R5,000 LIFT Wallet. This is a unique opportunity for South Africans to
FedAir Locks in to the Lowveld: A New Era of Safari Connectivity
Federal Airlines (FedAir), South Africa’s leading luxury safari air transfer operator, has announced a major strategic expansion into the country’s Lowveld region — a move set to transform regional lodge connectivity from May 2026. The new six-aircraft Lowveld Schedule will link the region’s premier lodges directly with Kruger Mpumalanga International, Skukuza and Hoedspruit Airports, creating a seamless “safari-from-the-sky” experience. Tickets go on sale 17 November 2025, perfectly timed for 2026 safari bookings. Streamlined Safari Travel Guests will soon be able to arrive at one of the three gateway airports and connect quickly by air to their lodge airstrip, avoiding long road transfers.
𝗦𝗔𝗔 𝗘xtends 𝗔frican 𝗖onnectivity
South African Airways (SAA) has expanded its African network with the launch of a new twice-daily service between Johannesburg and Gaborone, which commenced on 4 November 2025. The new route strengthens direct connectivity between South Africa and Botswana while also enhancing access to SAA’s wider regional destinations such as Windhoek, Lusaka, Harare and Kinshasa as well as intercontinental routes including São Paulo and Perth. Speaking at the launch event in Gaborone, SAA Group CEO Professor John Lamola said, “This route is more than a flight, it’s a strategic link in SAA’s broader commitment to enhancing intra-African connectivity. It reflects our vision to
Somon Air Makes Landmark Commitment to Boeing for Up to 14 Aircraft
In a bold move to expand its international footprint and modernize its fleet, Somon Air, Tajikistan’s national carrier, has announced a commitment to acquire up to 14 Boeing aircraft, including four 787-9 Dreamliners and ten 737-8 MAX jets. The announcement was made during the C5+1 Summit, coinciding with the U.S.’s 10th anniversary of the diplomatic platform. Somon Air currently operates six Next-Generation 737s, connecting Dushanbe to 25 destinations across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The new order marks the airline’s first-ever widebody purchase, with the 787-9 Dreamliner enabling long-haul intercontinental routes and providing enhanced passenger comfort. Meanwhile, the 737-8 MAX jets
Taking Flight in True Proteas Style!
South African sports fans have a new reason to celebrate – the Proteas FlySafair Boeing has officially taken to the skies! The unveiling took place on 4 November at the FlySafair hangars at OR Tambo International Airport, where the airline revealed a striking, fan-designed livery that celebrates South African pride and the nation’s cricketing passion. Every detail of the design reflects the spirit of the Proteas, turning the Boeing into a flying tribute to one of South Africa’s most beloved sports teams. FlySafair, already well-known for its support of South African sports, is also a proud sponsor of the Springboks Rugby team.
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