Showing posts with label Richards Bay. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Richards Bay. Show all posts

20 July 2026

CemAir resumes Johannesburg–Richards Bay flights from November 2026

Travellers planning a trip to South Africa's Zululand will soon have another convenient flight option. Regional airline CemAir has announced that it will resume scheduled services between Johannesburg and Richards Bay from 01 November 2026.

Bookings opened on 16 July 2026 and can be made through the CemAir website, its contact centre, accredited travel agents, as well as through the airline's interline and codeshare partners.

The new schedule includes two return flights daily from Sunday to Friday, while one return flight will operate on Saturdays, giving both business and leisure travellers greater flexibility.

For holidaymakers, the route provides an easy gateway to one of South Africa's most rewarding yet often overlooked regions. Richards Bay is famous for its long sandy beaches, excellent fishing, abundant birdlife and relaxed coastal atmosphere. It also serves as an ideal starting point for exploring the wider Zululand region.

Within a relatively short drive are some of South Africa's best-known wildlife destinations, including Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Mkhuze Game Reserve and the coastal town of St Lucia. Whether you're planning a Big Five safari, a birdwatching trip, a beach holiday or a combination of all three, Richards Bay offers a convenient entry point.

The return of the JohannesburgRichards Bay route adds another domestic connection to CemAir's growing network and provides travellers with additional choice when planning a KwaZulu-Natal getaway.

 

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11 March 2024

South Africa: Airlink suspends flights to Richards Bay after airport downgraded! [update]

update (11 March 2024): South African regional and domestic carrier Airlink just announced that it will resume its normal Richards Bay flight schedule from tomorrow (12 March 2024) morning. This follows the reinstatement of ichards Bay Airport's (RCB) fire and rescue approval to accommodate scheduled airline operations. 

The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has downgraded Richards Bay Airport (RCB) in Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal from category 5 classification to category 2 classification due to safety concerns and non-compliance to Civil Aviation Regulations. As a result, the airport is not permitted to land commercial aircraft and is only granted permissions for small aircraft. According to SACAA spokesperson Sisa Majola, the downgrade followed an inspection by the regulator which identified the risks related to their fire and rescue services that do not meet the required safety standards under this [category 5] grading.
South African regional and domestic carrier Airlink, the only airline offering scheduled operations to Richards Bay Airport (RCB), has suspended all air services to and from the airport. Holders of tickets for flights with Airlink between Johannesburg and Richards Bay are advised to contact the airline to be rebooked for travel at a later date, or to another destination (e.g. Durban), or to request a refund.  

 online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

22 August 2022

South Africa: Airlink to resume flights between Johannesburg <> Richards Bay!

South African privately-owned regional carrier Airlink is set to resume scheduled services between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Richards Bay Airport (RCB) in Richards Bay from 19 September 2022. The reinstatement of flights follows Richards Bay Airport’s securing of the necessary resources to accommodate scheduled airline services after an enforced 20-month hiatus. Airlink will initially operate two daily return flights (Mondays to Thursdays) and one daily return flight (Fridays & Saturdays) to Richards Bay. From 16 December 2022, flights on the route will be daily. Airlink will operate flights to Richards Bay on board a 29-seat Jetstream 41 turboprop airliner.

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

29 June 2020

South Africa reopens seven more airports!

South Africa's Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, today (29 June 2020) announced that in addition to the original four airports that are currently allowed to operate in alert level three of the country's risk-adjusted strategy to manage the spread of COVID-19 - OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban, Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and Lanseria International Airport (HLA) in Johannesburg - the following domestic airports will reopen from 01 July 2020:
 

27 August 2019

South Africa: Intercape to launch a new coach route between Durban <> Maputo (Mozambique)!

The largest intercity passenger transport service operating in Southern Africa, Intercape, is set to launch a new coach route between Durban in South Africa and Maputo in Mozambique. Effective 06 September 2019, the bus company will operate the new route on board a 60-seater luxury bus on Tuesdays, Thursdays as well as Sundays (Durban > Maputo) and on Fridays, Mondays and Wednesdays (Maputo > Durban). The total travel time between the two destinations will be 9.5 hrs. Popular stops along the way include Richards Bay, Hluhluwe, Kosi Bay and Ponta do Ouro. A 20 minute refreshment stop will be made at the Hluhluwe PetroPort in Hluhluwe (both directions).

04 September 2018

South Africa: Airlink to add capacity to its Johannesburg <> Richards Bay route!

South African regional carrier Airlink has announced that it will from 17 September 2018, in response to market demand, introduce further capacity to its services between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Richards Bay Airport (RCB) in Richards Bay. The airline will introduce one of its newly acquired 74-seat Embraer 170 E-Jet on the midday flights, and  from 01 October 2018 on the afternoon flights, which will offer customers enhanced "JET" comfort and a generous seat pitch. The E-Jet cabin layout features two plus two abreast seating, with large eye-level windows allowing in lots of natural light, and ample overhead bin space to accommodate carry on items. Every seat offers either a window or an aisle option. The 29-seat Jetstream 41 will continue to operate the early morning flights.

28 May 2018

South Africa: CemAir to launch flights to Kimberley & Richards Bay!

South African regional carrier CemAir has launched four daily flights between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Kimberley Airport (KIM) in Kimberley today (28 May 2018) and is set to launch two daily flights between Johannesburg and Richards Bay Airport (RCB) in Richards Bay on 29 May 2018. Both routes were previously served by SA Express, which was grounded by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) last week.

22 October 2013

South Africa: Airlink to introduce new domestic routes

South African airline Airlink announced the introduction of new services on the routes from Johannesburg to Bloemfontein, Kimberley and Richards Bay effective 18th November 2013. According to Airlink, the new routes are in response to demand and will be operated at times suitable to satisfy the requirements of same-day returning travellers in both directions. 
Airlink is the largest independent regional airline in southern Africa. The airline services more than 30 destinations in Southern Africa, utilising a fleet of Jetstream 41 aircraft, ERJ 135 jet aircraft and BAe RJ85 aircraft. Airlink has code-sharing and schedule co-ordination agreements with South African Airways and SA Express.