Safari specialists have warned that a general reduction in flights between Johannesburg and Victoria Falls this year has resulted in less choice and fewer sightseeing opportunities for visitors, especially those planning a short stay.
But the situation isn’t likely to improve until the end of the month at least, or when South Africa’s International Air Services Council is properly up and running.
Offering some relief, Fastjet will increase its schedule between JNB and VFA to daily from the end of the month. The airline has implemented a reduced, low-season schedule for January, February and March, with three flights a week, on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays.
A spokesperson said a reduced schedule was not unusual for this time of year, lined up with the end of the European winter season, and provided time for planned maintenance.
Bookings for travel to Vic Falls over Easter were “very encouraging” said the spokesperson, who added: “There was a reduction in frequencies over the Christmas period, which was a direct response to a big and short-notice dip in demand – due to the discovery of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and the subsequent travel bans. Also, one important point is that, when we have had to make schedule changes, all affected customers have been supported with rebooking.”
June-July is historically another good period for business from South Africa to Vic Falls, and Fastjet will add direct flights between VFA and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) this week with flights between VFA and Maun to follow at the end of June.
The spokesperson said: “By July, we will be serving Vic Falls from four destinations – Harare, Johannesburg, Kruger National Park and Maun. This further commits to Fastjet’s tourism mandate, and to the fact that we are banking on and supporting tourism to Vic Falls.” – Tourism Update
