LATAM Airlines is expanding its direct route appeal to the Mother City, with direct flights between São Paulo, Brazil, and Cape Town set to launch in September 2026.
James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth and Tourism, called it a "massive win", sharing the news on social media yesterday.
"On a previous trade mission to São Paulo, I met with the LATAM team to talk about exactly this kind of connection, and now it’s becoming a reality. Moments like this remind me why we push so hard to open new routes for our region. And a shout-out to the Air Access partnership at Wesgro for the behind-the-scenes work that helps make these wins possible. Get ready for the Dreamliner touching down in the Mother City!" added Vos.
Additionally, the new route provides easy access to São Paulo’s standout attractions for local travellers, from its world-class gastronomy in districts like Jardins and Vila Madalena, to iconic cultural landmarks like Avenida Paulista and Ibirapuera Park, as well as the city’s renowned football culture.
Emirates increases connectivity for 2026
Emirates also confirmed that it will introduce a third daily flight between Dubai and Cape Town, starting from July 1, 2026, operated by a Boeing 777, and adding more than 600 extra seats per day on the popular route.
The new service - EK778/779 - features an evening departure from Cape Town, providing an additional overnight travel option and enhanced connectivity to major long-haul destinations across the Emirates network, including Thailand, Indonesia, France, Switzerland, the Philippines, and China.
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The announcement coincides with an enhanced reciprocal codeshare agreement between Emirates and South African Airways, signed at the 2025 Dubai Airshow.
The partnership allows passengers to book across both networks on a single ticket with seamless baggage handling. Emirates travellers will gain easier access to SAA’s domestic routes, including Cape Town, Durban, and Gqeberha, as well as 13 regional destinations across Africa.
SAA’s CEO, John Lamola, says the strengthened partnership boosts connectivity, supports trade and tourism, and reinforces South Africa’s role as a key aviation hub.
Cape Town International Airport Arrivals on a Roll
All the added connectivity for the year ahead bodes well for Cape Town’s aviation sector, as it gains early momentum in the peak season. The airport surpassed the one-million-passenger mark in October 2025, a milestone usually seen in December.
It serves only to showcase the appeal of the Mother City as a connectivity hub for South Africa as a whole.
The early passenger growth highlights the strength of South Africa’s tourism and aviation sectors, as well as the ongoing efforts of partners such as the Air Access Steering Committee to raise Cape Town's global profile for seamless, safe, and high-quality travel experiences.
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