South African Airways Begins New Johannesburg-Lubumbashi Service

South African Airways (SAA) has expanded its regional presence with the commencement of direct service between Johannesburg and Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The inaugural direct flight took off from OR Tambo International Airport and landed safely at Luano International Airport today, heralding a new era in connectivity, trade and commerce between these two mining cities of South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The flight, operated by an Airbus A320, departed Johannesburg at 10.50am this morning and landed in Lubumbashi a little more than three hours later. The new route’s schedule of five weekly flights accommodates both point-to-point and connecting passengers.

Many of the DRC’s biggest companies have their headquarters in Lubumbashi. Departure and arrival times between the two cities enable seamless ground transfers to boardrooms and sites that serve trade and industry in both nations, as well as to sites and boardrooms of other key mining destinations in the DRC and neighbouring Zambia.

Says SAA interim chief executive Professor John Lamola: “As an enabler of trade and commerce in Africa, SAA connects two of Africa’s most influential economies and mining centres, bringing together industries, communities and entrepreneurs and enabling us to unlock greater prosperity, foster collaboration and generate new opportunities for trade, investment and development.”

South Africa and the DRC are well-established trading partners. There was 50% compound annual growth in South Africa’s exports to the DRC between 2018 and 2022. In 2022, South Africa’s exports to the DRC totalled R26.6-billion; most comprised refined petroleum and mining machinery.

On the other hand, the DRC’s exports to South Africa totalled R2.4-billion in 2022. The main products it exported to South Africa included refined copper, precious metal scraps, raw zinc and other minerals.

Direct air connectivity between the two nations will nurture this trade relationship and strengthen it to the benefit of both nations and the broader continental economy.

The aircraft on the new route offers superior belly cargo capacity to meet the cargo requirements of the continental mining, infrastructure and industrial sectors.

“Through this flight we are not merely adding another regional route to our itinerary list; we are also reinforcing a vision for Africa’s future: one where trade flows freely, enabled by connectivity and networking,” says Lamola.

“SAA is honoured to play a role in furthering the legacy of friendship and shared prosperity between South Africa and the DRC. We believe in the immense potential of Africa, and today we are reminded of the power that lies in our connections, our partnerships and our shared commitment to growth.”