French-Dutch multinational airline holding company Air France-KLM implemented a new codeshare agreement with South African regional airline Airlink, effective 03 December 2024.
This commercial partnership enhances connectivity for travellers, offering Air France and KLM customers access to an extensive range of destinations in Southern Africa via OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town. At this stage, the codeshare agreement is active on 14 Airlink domestic destinations in South Africa.
Air France-KLM and Airlink plan to expand the partnership in the future, with additional destinations to come in Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, St Helena, Zambia and Zimbabwe (expansion subject to approval by the relevant authorities).
Air France and KLM currently operate up to 14 weekly flights to Johannesburg and 14 weekly flights to Cape Town on departure from their respective hubs at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) in Amsterdam.
06 December 2024
Airlink & Air France-KLM signed a new codeshare agreement!
05 December 2024
South Africa: Seasonal rainfall & temperature outlook (December 2024 to April 2025)!
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has released the Seasonal Climate Watch for the period December 2024 to April 2025. According to the seasonal outlook, the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is currently still in a neutral state and is predicted to weaken further. Current predictions indicate the development of a weak La Niña state only during mid-summer and therefore may only affect South Africa’s summer rainfall during the latter parts of the season. There is also still significant uncertainty in the predictions at this stage on whether a La Niña event will occur.
Current predictions indicate above-normal rainfall for parts of the north-eastern central and coastal areas of South Africa, with most parts of the summer rainfall areas expected to recieve below-normal rainfall. During the latter parts of summer (February to April 2025) there is a widespread increase in chances for above-normal rainfall over the summer rainfall areas, potentially indicating a very late influence from the potential La Niña event.
Minimum and maximum temperatures are expected to be mostly above-normal in South Africa for the
forecast period. However, the southern coastal areas of the country indicate that below-normal temperatures are more likely throughout the summer period.
04 December 2024
TAZARA suspends passenger train services in Tanzania for urgent track repairs!
The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) has announced the temporary suspension of passenger train services between Dar es Salaam and Mbeya in Tanzania, including the Kilimanjaro Ordinary Train and the Udzungwa train, effective 29 November 2024. According to TAZARA, this decision follows multiple track closures caused by a series of more than ten unforseen incidents. These events have necessitated temporary closures of various sections of the railway line to faciltate urgent repairs. TAZARA is expecting to resume normal operations in Tanzania by 12 December 2024. We'll keep you posted!
The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) is a bi-national railway, jointly owned by the Government of Tanzania and the Government of Zambia on an equal share-holding basis. The 1,860 km-rail runs from Tanzania and East Africa’s major seaport of Dar es Salaam into the heart of Zambia's Central Province, terminating at New Kapiri-Mposhi, where it is further linked by road and rail to Zambia's capital city, Lusaka (about 200 km), Zambia's mining nerve centre, the Copperbelt province (about 100 km) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
South Africa: South African Airways (SAA) facing possible strike by its pilots! [update #2]
update (05 December 2024): According to Khaya Buthelezi, SAA's senior manager of corporate relations, flights to Perth in Australia and Sao Paulo in Brazil have both been canceled as no partner airlines could be found to transfer passengers to.
update (05 December 2024): The pilots started striking this morning at 07:00. According to SAA, the strike's length is unclear. It will impact all SAA-operated flights on domestic and regional routes, including Johannesburg to Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha, Windhoek, and Mauritius. However, flights by SAA’s codeshare and Star Alliance partners will operate as scheduled.
South African Airways (SAA) is facing a strike by its pilots. The airline announced on 03 December 2024 that after protracted wage negotiations it has received a notification from the SAA Pilots Association (SAAPA) expressing their intent to embark on a strike action commencing 05 December 2024. According to SAA, the management of the airline is doing everything possible to avoid a strike by pilots, or any disruptions to its operations, especially during the December peak season.
“SAA has only recently regained its operational viability after emerging from business rescue in 2021. In order not to disrupt this momentum, we are committed to ongoing negotiations with SAAPA and to do everything possible to reach a fair settlement that is mutually beneficial to both the pilots and the company”, said SAA Interim Chief Executive Officer Professor John Lamola.We'll keep you posted!
Cape Town: Major upgrades coming to Muizenberg beachfront!
The City of Cape Town has announced that the refurbishment of the Muizenberg beachfront is set to commence by mid-February 2025. The project entails major upgrades to public amenities and replacing the aged seawalls, and will be complete by the end of 2026.
The upgrade of the Muizenberg beachfront, which will be done in phases, will take place at Surfer’s Corner, on the western part of the beachfront along Beach Road, including the connection to the St James walkway, the Surfer’s Corner steps, the main promenade area and the existing informal gravel parking area along the railway line and eastern parking area.
The first work of the project will commence along the western section of Surfer’s Corner, next to the railway line. The beach will remain open and accessible at all times.
The refurbishment of the Muizenberg beachfront will include the following upgrades and repairs:
- a new stepped revetment coastal protection infrastructure
- clay pavers on the existing parking area along the railway line
- new ablution facilities
- a new pergola
- an upgraded playground
- relocation of all eight beach huts
Muizenberg is located along the False Bay coastline in Cape Town, approximately 25 km from the city center. It is part of the southern suburbs and is easily accessible via road or train. The beach is famous for its wide, sandy shoreline and gentle waves, making it one of the most popular destinations in Cape Town.
03 December 2024
South Africa: Airlink halts flights to Lesotho over safety soncerns at Maseru Airport! [update]
update (04 December 2025): Airlink has announced that firefighting services at Moshoeshoe I International Airport (MSU) in Maseru have been restored. As a result, the airline's flights will operate as scheduled from tomorrow, Thursday 05 December 2024.
South African regional airline Airlink has announced the disruption of its daily service between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Maseru in Lesotho due to the unavailability of fire and rescue services and equipment at Moshoeshoe I International Airport (MSU). According to the airline, today’s (03 December 2024) flights on the route have all been cancelled. Airlink will resume flights to Maseru as soon as the airport operator has restored the necessary emergency support services. We'll keep you posted!
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: Early closure of Twee Rivieren shop & restaurant on 6 December 2024!
The management of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park has announced that the shop and the restaurant at Twee Rivieren Rest Camp will be closing earlier than normal on 06 December 2024. This is due to the National Park's annually Awards function:
- Twee Rivieren Shop will be open from 07:30 to 18:00 on 06 December 2024
- Twee Rivieren Restaurant will be open from 08:30 to 18:00 on 06 December 2024
Twee Rivieren is largest rest camp in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
and its administrative headquarters. The camp is situated on the banks
of the dry Nossob riverbed. Activities and facilities are diverse, as
are the animals and plants found both within the camp and in the
surrounding areas. Besides the new Interpretation Centre, Twee Rivieren Rest Camp
has a reception, shop, fuel, restaurant, information centre and
swimming pool. This is the only camp with 24 hrs electricity and cell
phone reception in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.