Airlink is introducing a new scheduled domestic service to Lanseria, connecting Cape Town with the airport from December 4, 2026. The airline will operate twice-daily flights between Cape Town and Lanseria International Airport, providing a point-to-point connection for passengers travelling to and from Johannesburg who want to avoid the congestion of O.R. Tambo International Airport. This new service aims to offer passengers a comfortable and enjoyable alternative for travelling between the two regions.
Lanseria International Airport is strategically located to serve communities and businesses in western Gauteng and the North West province. The airport is an alternative to O.R. Tambo International Airport, which is one of the busiest airports in South Africa. By launching this new service, Airlink is responding to the growing demand for air travel between Cape Town and Johannesburg. The airline's CEO, de Villiers Engelbrecht, stated that the new service will complement Airlink's existing services to O.R. Tambo.
The new route will be operated using an Embraer E190 aircraft, which accommodates 98 passengers. The aircraft is configured to provide passengers with either a window or aisle seat, with no middle seats on its flights. This configuration aims to provide passengers with a more comfortable flying experience. The Embraer E190 is a popular aircraft for short-haul flights, and Airlink is confident that it will meet the demands of the Cape Town-Lanseria route.
Airlink's decision to launch this new service is driven by the limited travel options on this route. The airline aims to provide passengers with a comfortable and enjoyable alternative for travelling between Cape Town and Johannesburg. According to Engelbrecht, the airline's intention is to give passengers a choice of travel options, while also complementing its existing services to O.R. Tambo. The new service is expected to benefit both leisure and business travellers.
From March 22, 2027, Airlink plans to increase the service to four daily return flights. An updated schedule for the increased frequency will be published closer to the date. This increase in frequency is in response to growing demand for air travel on this route. The additional flights will provide passengers with more flexibility and convenience when travelling between Cape Town and Lanseria.
The launch of this new service marks Airlink's first scheduled domestic service to Lanseria. The airline has a long history of providing air travel services in South Africa, and this new service is an expansion of its existing network. Airlink's entry into the Cape Town-Lanseria market is expected to stimulate economic growth and development in the regions served by Lanseria International Airport.
The new service is expected to have a positive impact on the air travel market in South Africa. The addition of Airlink's twice-daily flights will provide passengers with more choice and flexibility when travelling between Cape Town and Johannesburg. The airline's commitment to providing a comfortable and enjoyable flying experience is expected to set a new standard for air travel on this route.
Key points
- Airlink to launch twice-daily flights between Cape Town and Lanseria International Airport from December 4, 2026.
- The new service will be operated using an Embraer E190 aircraft, which accommodates 98 passengers.
- Airlink plans to increase the service to four daily return flights from March 22, 2027.
