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German airline Lufthansa announced that it is adding more flights between Europe and South Africa.
While Johannesburg benefits from the expansion, Cape Town emerges as one of the biggest winners with a new nonstop Monday service from Frankfurt. This effectively makes the route a daily service during the peak northern winter travel season.
The expanded schedule takes effect at the end of October.
Easier access to the Mother City
For travellers, the extra flight means greater flexibility and easier access to one of South Africa’s most sought-after destinations.
It also translates into more seats and more international visitors. The Cape Town expansion comes as demand for direct long-haul travel continues to grow.
Lufthansa says the additional capacity forms part of a broader increase that will see the group operate 38 weekly long-haul flights between South Africa and Europe, its largest schedule to the country to date.
“South Africa is one of Lufthansa Group’s most important long-haul markets in Africa, and our Winter 2026/27 schedule reflects that confidence,” said René Koinzack, Senior Director North, East & Southern Africa Lufthansa Group Airlines.
Edelweiss continues operating the Cape Town-Zurich route five times per week using Airbus A350 aircraft.
Cape Town’s tourism sector has been actively working to increase international air access for years, and the strategy appears to be paying off.
Industry leaders have stressed that adding seats is one of the fastest ways to unlock visitor growth, particularly during the European winter when South Africa enjoys its peak summer season.
Night-time departure from OR Tambo
Lufthansa will increase its Munich-Johannesburg service from three to five weekly flights. The route will switch to a night-time departure from OR Tambo, improving onward connections across Europe.
Swiss International Air Lines is also increasing frequencies on its Zurich-Johannesburg service as part of the wider network expansion.
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