New George-Hoedspruit flights will boost Garden Route tourism

LOCAL NEWS - Well-to-do Garden Route residents and local tourism operators are elated that George Airport is finally getting a direct flight to Hoedspruit in Limpopo, known as the "Safari Capital" of South Africa.

Michael Bailey, a local from George and a keen naturalist, has been campaigning for this direct route for more than a year.

Bailey even hosted an online poll in August last year to gauge local demand for a George-Hoedspruit route, due to Hoedspruit's proximity to private game reserves and the Kruger National Park.

With CemAir's announcement earlier this month that the airline will offer three flights a week between the two popular tourist destinations starting 17 May next year, Bailey's appeal clearly hit home.

He welcomed the announcement saying many local and international tourists want to visit the Kruger National Park or other game parks in Limpopo, but also want to experience the beauty and diversity of the Southern Cape.

"Tourists will now be able to enjoy time in the Garden Route and Karoo and then fly directly to the bush and vice versa without cumbersome transfers. Many Garden Route residents also enjoy breaks in the bush. To our family it's an added bonus as my wife's parents stay in Hoedspruit."

He added that he can only hope that the fare gets more affordable with time as the popularity of the route increases and other flight operators also introduce the same route.

Hoedspruit Airport is also known as Eastgate Airport. Photo: Supplied

Convenience doesn't come cheap

CemAir says the new route offers passengers a convenient link between two of South Africa's most iconic travel destinations - the safari-rich Lowveld and the picturesque Garden Route.

Travellers should note that convenience comes at a price, but then again, even the existing indirect flights between the two towns are expensive.

Fares for the 2 hour 15 minute flight from George and 2 hours 25 min from Hoedspruit start at R4 800 one-way. Fares include checked baggage and onboard catering.

Booking for May next year when the direct route takes off, the cheapest indirect flight from George to Hoedspruit via OR Tambo Airport, is priced about R1 200 less, but then you have to put up with a layover of at least 18 hours in Johannesburg.

If the layover drops to about 5 hours, the indirect flights' fares in May 2026 can increase to nearly R6 000 - one way.

"The new direct route will operate three times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and a limited schedule on Sundays, providing flexible travel options for both leisure and business travellers. CemAir will increase the frequency of flights as demand grows, ensuring even more convenient connections between these key destinations," said Shaniel Singh, chief commercial officer at CemAir.

"We are pleased to launch a direct connection between Hoedspruit and George - two destinations that showcase the very best of South Africa's natural beauty."

"This route removes the need for travellers to transit through major hubs and strengthens local tourism by making travel between the bush and the coast more convenient and accessible," said Singh.

CemAir's new direct flights between George and Hoedspruit will take off in May next year. Photo: Flycemair

Western Cape airports show double digit growth

Meanwhile, Wesgro’s latest Air Access data for October, shows that the Western Cape’s airport network delivered another month of double-digit growth in passenger traffic.

George Airport continued its strong performance with 84 000 two-way passengers in October, a 24% growth compared to the same month last year.

Its year-to-date passenger numbers have now surpassed 738 000, growing by 15%.

Cape Town International Airport processed more than 287 000 international two-way passengers in October, representing a year-on-year increase of 15 percent, with more than 750 000 two-way passengers recorded in October, a growth of 16%.

Cape Town's international passenger volumes for the year now stand at nearly 2,6 million from January to October while domestic passengers number 6,4 million.

According to Noko Masipa, MPP and DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, these figures place the Western Cape far ahead of national trends.

South Africa recorded 927 426 international arrivals in October, and the Western Cape accounted for more than a third of that total.

Between January and October 2025, the country welcomed 8,56 million international visitors. The Western Cape again contributed over a third to that figure.

Masipa says this growth has been supported by expanding air access. "Recent announcements include LATAM Airlines launching the first direct Cape Town to São Paulo service from September 2026, Emirates adding a third daily Dubai to Cape Town frequency from July 2026, Air Tanzania introducing its first direct connection to Cape Town from December 2025, and CemAir adding a new George to Hoedspruit route three times a week from 17 May 2026."

Mapisa says these developments reflect rising demand for direct travel to the Western Cape and will further strengthen the province’s global connectivity.
From left are Paul Van den Brink (Cape Town Air Access, Wesgro), Stephanie Spelle, (AF/KLM, Nairobi), Wilson Tauro (AF/KLM), Faziela Saheb (AF/KLM), Delia Johnstone (AF/KLM) and David King (Cape Town Air Access, Wesgro).