CemAir adds more Bloemfontein flights to Durban and George from August 2026

Travellers flying to or from Bloemfontein will soon have more flexibility, with South African regional airline CemAir adding extra weekly flights to Durban and George.

From 04 August 2026, the airline will introduce two additional weekly return services, making it easier to plan short breaks, business trips and regional itineraries without having to connect through Johannesburg.

The new flights are:

• Bloemfontein – Durban: an extra return flight every Tuesday
• Bloemfontein – George: an extra return flight every Thursday

If you're planning to travel after 04 August 2026, check the latest flight times before booking, as schedules can change.

For travellers, the extra flights offer greater flexibility when planning trips between the Free State, Durban and the Garden Route.

 

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Flying to Southern Africa? CemAir and Air Europa launch new partnership

Planning a trip to Southern Africa from Europe or the Americas? A new partnership between South African regional carrier CemAir and Spanish airline Air Europa, wich is launching its first service to Johannesburg on 24 June 2026, could make your journey a little easier.

Passengers flying with Air Europa can now connect onto CemAir flights on a single booking, giving travellers easier access to destinations across South Africa and the wider Southern African region. Eligible itineraries also include through-checked baggage, meaning luggage can be transferred to the final destination without having to be collected and re-checked during the journey.

For international visitors, the biggest benefit is improved access to destinations beyond the region's major international gateways. CemAir serves a number of domestic and regional routes, helping travellers reach smaller cities and tourism destinations that are not always easy to access on a single ticket.

The partnership should also benefit Southern African travellers heading overseas. Air Europa operates an extensive network from its Madrid base, offering onward connections to destinations across Europe as well as North and South America.

While airline partnerships often happen behind the scenes, they can make a noticeable difference to the travel experience. Being able to book an entire journey on one itinerary and check baggage through to the final destination can remove some of the stress from planning a multi-stop trip.

Bookings under the new CemAir-Air Europa partnership became available on 23 June 2026.

 

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New airline partnership connects Southern and East Africa more seamlessly

Travellers flying between Southern and East Africa now have more flexible routing options, following a new commercial partnership between South Africa's second-largest airline by number of flights, CemAir, and Kenya Airways, the flag carrier airline of Kenya. The agreement marks a meaningful step towards improving regional air connectivity and simplifying multi-leg journeys across the two networks.

Implemented as a Special Prorate Agreement (SPA), the partnership introduces interline-style cooperation, allowing passengers to book selected connecting itineraries more seamlessly. In practical terms, this means smoother transfers, coordinated ticketing, and improved journey planning when combining flights operated by both carriers.

For travellers, the benefits are immediate: easier access to a wider range of destinations across Southern and East Africa, greater flexibility when building itineraries, and a more streamlined travel experience overall. Whether you’re connecting via key hubs or planning a multi-country trip, the collaboration enhances convenience for both leisure and business travel.

Both airlines have indicated that this agreement is only the first phase of a broader strategic relationship. Further cooperation - potentially including deeper network integration - remains under discussion, subject to regulatory and operational approvals.

The Special Prorate Agreement (SPA) is now live, offering travellers expanded options across the region.

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South African Airways and CemAir launch domestic codeshare partnership!

South African Airways (SAA) has entered into a strategic domestic codeshare agreement with privately owned South African airline CemAir, marking a significant expansion of air connectivity within South Africa. This partnership strengthens connectivity between major cities and niche destinations not previously served by SAA’s network.

Unlike SAA’s existing codeshare agreements, which primarily focus on regional African and long-haul international routes, this collaboration is exclusively domestic. Its core objective is to improve accessibility, convenience, and network depth for travellers moving within South Africa.

Under the agreement, both airlines will place their respective codes on selected flights, allowing passengers to book seamless, single-ticket itineraries via official airline websites, mobile applications, and authorised travel agents. The codeshare also enables baggage through-check and coordinated service standards, simplifying travel between primary gateways and secondary destinations.

CemAir’s Role in regional connectivity
Established in 2005, CemAir has built a strong reputation as a reliable regional carrier, operating scheduled services between key business centres and leisure destinations. Its route network includes Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, George, East London, Gqeberha, Margate, Kimberley, Hoedspruit, and Mala Mala, among others.

Operating a fleet of regional jets and turboprop aircraft, CemAir plays a critical role in connecting remote and niche destinations to South Africa's main aviation hubs. The new partnership complements SAA’s network by extending reach into areas that are vital for tourism, business travel, and regional economic development.

Key benefits for travellers

• Expanded access to regional leisure and business destinations
• Single-ticket itineraries with seamless connections and baggage transfers
• Integrated booking across South African Airways and CemAir platforms

The SAA–CemAir codeshare partnership represents a practical enhancement to South Africa's domestic aviation landscape, offering greater choice and improved connectivity for both local and international travellers.

Ticket sales for codeshare flights will open on 26 January 2026.

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South Africa: CemAir launches new domestic route between George and Hoedspruit!

South African regional airline CemAir is expanding its domestic network with a brand-new route connecting George Airport (GRJ) in George to Hoedspruit Airport (HDS), also known as Eastgate Airport, in Hoedspruit. Starting 17 May 2026, the service will operate three times a week - on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and a limited schedule on Sundays - offering flexible travel options for both leisure and business travellers. CemAir plans to increase flight frequency as demand grows, providing even more convenient connections between these popular destinations.

Flight details:

• 5Z970: Departs George at 08:10, arrives in Hoedspruit at 10:25
• 5Z971: Departs Hoedspruit at 10:55, arrives in George at 13:20

Explore the Garden Route and the Kruger Region
George, situated in the heart of South Africa’s Garden Route, is a gateway to stunning coastal towns, lush forests, and iconic attractions such as Knysna, Wilderness, and the Outeniqua Mountains. Meanwhile, Hoedspruit serves as a strategic gateway to the world-renowned Kruger National Park, offering travellers convenient access to safari lodges, wildlife experiences, and the breathtaking Lowveld landscape. This new CemAir route seamlessly connects nature lovers and adventure seekers, making weekend getaways and business trips easier than ever.

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South Africa: CemAir launches a new domestic route!

South African regional airline CemAir is expanding its domestic network with the introduction of a new service between Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and King Phalo Airport (ELS) in East London. The route is scheduled to begin on 13 October 2025, offering travelers a direct connection between the Western Cape and the Eastern Cape.
CemAir will initially operate one weekly flight every Monday on the following schedule:

• Cape Town > East London: Departure 06:00, arrival 07:20
• East London > Cape Town: Departure 07:50, arrival 09:30

Flights on the route will be operated with CemAir’s Bombardier CRJ900, a modern regional jet with seating for up to 90 passengers. The airline has indicated that additional frequencies may be added in the future if passenger demand grows.
This new route provides business and leisure travelers with another convenient option for flying between Cape Town and East London, strengthening domestic air connectivity in South Africa.

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South Africa: CemAir extends suspension of Plettenberg Bay flights!

South African airline CemAir has announced that flights to Plettenberg Bay Airport (PBZ) in Plettenberg Bay on South Africa's Garden Route will remain suspended until at least September 2025. The airline had initially planned to resume services in April 2025.
The extended suspension follows the collapse of the agreement between the Bitou Municipality and Garden Route Aero (GRA), the appointed airport operator. As a result, management of Plettenberg Bay Airport (PBZ) has reverted to the Bitou Municipality.
Currently, the airport is unable to accommodate scheduled commercial flights due to necessary runway and infrastructure repairs, which have yet to begin.
According to CemAir, the airline continues to monitor the situation and is committed to resuming flights to Plettenberg Bay once the airport meets the required safety and operational standards. We'll keep you updated!

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Air France-KLM and CemAir sign interline agreement!

Air France-KLM, the French-Dutch multinational airline group, has partnered with South African regional carrier CemAir through a newly implemented interline agreement. This collaboration enhances connectivity across South Africa by linking CemAir’s regional network with Air France-KLM’s major gateways at OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town.
Passengers will benefit from seamless travel between international long-haul flights and domestic routes, with the convenience of booking combined itineraries on a single ticket. The agreement streamlines the travel experience by reducing connection times and ensuring a consistent level of service, making it easier for travelers to explore destinations across South Africa.

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South Africa: CemAir introduces a new seasonal service to George!

South African domestic and regional carrier CemAir is set to introduce a new seasonal service between Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and George Airport (GRJ) in George. From 01 December 2024 to 19 January 2025, the airline will operate four weekly return flights on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Nestled in the heart of South Africa's Garden Route and at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains, George lies between Cape Town (approximately 430 km west) and Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth (330 km east). It’s on the N2 national highway.

Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays:

• Cape Town 15:45 > 16:45 George
• George 17:15 > 18:15 Cape Town

Mondays:

• Cape Town 16:15 > 17:15 George
• George 17:45 > 18:45 Cape Town

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Garden Route: CemAir suspends flights to Plettenberg Bay until April 2025! [update]

update (09 January 2025): CemAir confirmed earlier today that flights to Plettenberg Bay Airport (PBZ) in Plettenberg Bay remain suspended due to the continued downgrade of the airport by the SA Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA).
According to the airline, it remains committed to resuming services as soon as the airport meets the necessary certification requirements.

South African domestic and regional carrier CemAir has announced that the suspension of flights to Plettenberg Bay Airport (PBZ) in Plettenberg Bay has been extended to 10 April 2025 due to the continued downgrade of the airport by the SA Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). The airline hopes that by April 2025 the airport will have regained its Category 5 certification, which will allow CemAir to resume its scheduled service
All flights booked from Johannesburg to Plettenberg Bay until 10 April 2025 date will automatically be rebooked on CemAir's service to George Airport (GRJ) in George. Passengers will receive an automated booking change notification with new flight details.
For CemAir's Cape Town passengers travelling to Plettenberg Bay the airline will be introducing a flight between Cape Town International Airport (CPT) and George during peak periods. Passengers travelling on these days will receive an automated booking change notification with their new travel details. Passengers travelling on days where no alternative CemAir flight is available will be provided with a credit for the value of their fare.

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Plettenberg Bay Aerodome: CemAir resumes operations on a limited schedule!

South African domestic and regional carrier CemAir has announced that its service between Cape Town Interrnational Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and Plettenberg Bay Aerodrome (PBZ) in Plettenberg Bay will remain suspended, while the service between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Plettenberg Bay will recommence on 25 July 2024 on a limited schedule. The airline will initially operate four weekly flights on Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays between the two destinations.
According to CemAir, the airline received a call from the Plettenberg Bay Aerodrome manager on 02 July 2024 stating that the Airport license issued by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) was expected to be suspended the following day. The reason provided was that during a recent SACAA audit an unaddressed finding relating to the condition of the runway and taxiway had been escalated to the highest level.
As a result, CemAir terminated all flights into Plettenberg Bay from both Johannesburg and Cape Town with immediate effect up to and including the end of November 2024. This was the anticipated period for the runway work to be scoped, planned and completed.
On 03 July 2024 a further communication was received indicating that Plettenberg Bay Aerodrome (PBZ) would not be closed as the SACAA had accepted a phased action plan and would assess progress of the plan on 31 July 2024.
Despite this, on the 07 July 2024, the Bitou Municipality, which owns Plettenberg Bay Aerodrome (PBZ), issued a contradictory media statement advising that after careful consideration they had decided to close the Airport from 31 July 2024. Subsequently this was again amended on 09 July 2024 to state that a plan was in progress and airport interruptions were still to be advised. No airport closure dates have been confirmed. We'll keep you posted!

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South Africa: CemAir introduces flights to one of the largest private Big Five game reserves in South Africa!

South African domestic and regional carrier CemAir is set to launch a new domestic service in South Africa. The airline will introduce flights between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and the MalaMala airstrip in one of the largest private Big Five game reserves in South Africa, the MalaMala Game Reserve. Effective 01 June 2024, CemAir will operate four flights per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
The MalaMala Game Reserve covers an area of 13 200 ha shares a 19 km unfenced boundary with Kruger National Park and lies strategically sandwiched between Kruger National Park and the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve. The Game Reserve was the first privately owned and commercially operated game reserve in South Africa and is the model on which all other private game reserves now operate.

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South Africa: CemAir and British Airways sign & implement an interline agreement!

South African regional carrier CemAir and the flag carrier of the United Kingdom, British Airways, have signed and implemented an interline agreement that opens up connections to more destinations in Southern Africa through British Airways' gateways of Johannesburg and Cape Town. The agreement includes the convenience of single ticket itineraries with onwards booking and baggage transfers from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Bloemfontein, Kimberley, Margate, Durban, Hoedspruit, Plettenberg Bay, George (all in South Africa), Maun (Botswana) and Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe).
British Airways operates double daily flights between London and Johannesburg, as well as up to triple daily flights between London and Cape Town on some days during peak season.

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South Africa: CemAir introduces flights between Johannesburg <> East London!

South African domestic and regional carrier CemAir is set to introduce a new domestic service in South Africa. The airline will launchnon-stop flights between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and King Phalo Airport (ELS) in East London in the Eastern Cape. Effective 07 April 2024, the CemAir will be operating five weekly flights between the two destinations.

• Johannesburg 18:00 > 19:30 East London daily from Sunday to Thursday
• East London 06:00 > 07:20 Johannesburg daily from Monday to Friday

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South Africa: CemAir to launch a new service to Zimbabwe!

South African domestic and regional carrier CemAir is set to launch a new service to Zimbabwe. Effective 21 March 2024, the airline will operate four weekly non-stop flights between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and RG Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare. Flights on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays will depart Johannesburg at 07:00 and arrive Harare at 08:40, while flights on Sundays will be at 10:00 with an arrival time in Harare at 11:40. Weekday flights will depart Harare at 09:25 and arrive in Johannesburg at 11:05, while flights on Sundays will be at 12:25 with an arrival time in Johannesburg at 14:05. 

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South Africa: FlyCemAir to launch a new service to Botswana! [update]

update (05 September 2023): FlyCemAir has slightly changed plans. The airline will operate two weekly flights between Johannesburg and Kasane on Wednesdays and Saturdays instead of just one weekly flight from 30 September 2023 and not from 16 September 2023. The route is now open for bookings!

South African domestic and regional carrier FlyCemAir has announced the launch of a new service to Botswana. The airline is set to introduce one weekly non-stop flight between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Kasane International Airport (BBK) in Kasane. Flights will depart Johannesburg at 11:40 and arrive in Kasane at 13:20. The return flight will depart Kasane at 14:05 and arrive in Johannesburg at 15:50. Flights will commence on 16 September 2023.

Kasane International Airport (BBK) is located about 4km south of Kasane in Botswana's Chobe District. It provides access to Chobe National Park and serves as the second alternate airport for tourists travelling to the Victoria Falls (both on the Zambian and Zimbabwean sides) and to Katima Mulilo town in Namibia.

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South Africa: FlyCemAir to launch a new service to Zimbabwe! [update]

update (21 June 2023): FlyCemAir will launch its new four weekly service to Johannesburg and Victoria Falls on 09 August 2023. Flights will be operated on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

• Johannesburg 11:20 > 13:00 Victoria Falls
• Victoria Falls 13:30 > 15:05 Johannesburg

South African domestic and regional carrier FlyCemAir has announced that it will launch a new service to Zimbabwe. According to postings on Facebook and LinkedIn, the airline will commence flights between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA) in Victoria Falls in August 2023. However, FlyCemAir has not announced a launch date and schedule. We'll keep you posted!

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South Africa: CemAir to launch flights between George <> Durban!

South African regional carrier CemAir is set to launch a new domestic service in South Africa. The airline will introduce scheduled non-stop flights between George Airport (GRJ) in George (Western Cape) and King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban (KwaZulu-Natal). Effective 22 June 2023, CemAir will operate two weekly direct return flights on Mondays and Thursdays. Flights depart George at 13:10 and arrive in Durban at 15:20, while the return flights depart Durban at 15:50 and arrive in George at 18:00.

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CemAir to launch flights between Johannesburg <> Maun!

South African domestic and regional carrier CemAir is set to launch a new service to Botswana. The airline will operate daily non-stop flights between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Maun International Airport (MUB) in Maun from 01 May 2023. Flights will depart Johannesburg at 12:15 and arrive in Maun at 14:00, while the return flights will depart Maun at 14:30 and arrive in Johannesburg at 16:05. 

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South Africa: CemAir launches flights between Cape Town <> Kimberley!

South African domestic and regional carrier CemAir is set to launch flights between Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and Kimberley Airport (KIM) in Kimberley. Effective 17 February 2023, the airline will operate four weekly returm flights on Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays to the capital and largest city of the Northern Cape province of South Africa. The flight duration will be 90 minutes. Flights on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays will depart Cape Town at 15:45 and arrive in Kimberley at 17:15, while on Mondays flights will depart Cape Town at 06:00 and arrive in Kimberley at 07:30. On Mondays, flights from Kimberley will depart for Cape Town at 08:00, while on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays flights will depart Kimberley at 17:45 and arrive in Cape Town at 19:15.

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