Renewed travel bans and flight cancellations for South Africans
Following detection of the new, more infectious strain in several countries, many governments have begun closing their borders to nationals from countries where the new variant of the virus has been detected.
South Africa has reported rising numbers of infections with the new COVID-19 variant. This has resulted in several governments closing their borders to South Africans. In line with the new restrictions, airlines are also announcing flight cancellations and route suspensions.
Here is a summary of the current situation regarding flight suspensions which may affect South African travellers.
UK IMPOSES FLIGHT BAN ON SOUTH AFRICA
British Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced immediate restrictions on travel and flights from South Africa in a press conference on Wednesday 23 December. In addition to the travel restrictions, the British government requested that anybody who had been in close contact with someone who had been in South Africa during the past two weeks goes into self-isolation.
Imminent flight cancellations and temporary route suspensions are expected from UK-based airlines British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airlines as a result of the measures the UK has put in place.
TURKISH AIRLINES
Turkish Airlines has suspended all flights to and from South Africa following a Turkish government directive aimed at preventing importation of the new strain of coronavirus. The airline has been operating two flights per week from its base in Istanbul to Johannesburg and Cape Town since South Africa reopened its borders in October.
Turkish had planned to increase frequencies on its South Africa routes to three times a week from January 2021, but this remains doubtful in light of the suspension of all Turkish Airlines’ flights to South Africa until further notice.
LUFTHANSA AIRLINES
Following the German government’s border closure to South African nationals, Lufthansa Airlines has put a temporary flight ban in place for passengers from South Africa. However, the airline will continue to operate scheduled flights between Germany and South Africa. Flights will operate between Frankfurt, Johannesburg and Cape Town, and between Munich and Cape Town.
During the travel ban, Lufthansa will be able to carry passengers from Germany to Johannesburg and Cape Town for the period 22 to 30 December. However, the airline’s return flights from South Africa to Germany will not carry any passengers at all.
From 31 December to 6 January, Lufthansa will again be able to carry passengers on flights from South Africa to Germany, but passengers must be German nationals or foreign nationals holding German permanent residence permits.
The airline will release further information once the German government provides updates on the duration of its travel ban and border closures applicable to South African nationals. The airline warns temporary flight cancellations are possible under the current situation.
SWISS INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES
Swiss International Airlines operated two weekly flights between Zurich and Johannesburg. The Swiss government closed its borders to South Africa on 20 December and banned flights between the two countries on the same date.
The Swiss government has since permitted the airline to operate flights to Britain and South Africa temporarily from 24 December. These fights will be to repatriate Swiss nationals stranded in Britain and South Africa. Returnees will be expected to complete a 10-day quarantine on arrival in Switzerland.
EDELWEISS AIRLINES
Edelweiss Airlines, which operates flights between Zurich and Cape Town, has suspended its flights following a directive from the Swiss Federal government on 20 December. Passengers affected by the cancellations are advised to make contact with the airline for further assistance.
AUSTRIAN AIRLINES
Austrian Airlines operate two weekly flights between the Austrian capital Vienna and Cape Town. The airline has not cancelled its scheduled flights to South Africa. It will operate flights as planned, with strict health and safety protocols being adhered to.
TRAVEL BANS IN PLACE FOR SOUTH AFRICANS
While several countries have already their closed borders to nationals where the new variant of the coronavirus is prevalent, not all have closed their borders to South Africans.
The Netherlands reversed its decision to ban South Africans on 23 December, so it is not a country with a travel ban any longer. However, the following countries are still closed to South Africans to date:
- Israel
- Germany
- Turkey
- Mauritius
- Saudi Arabia
- Switzerland
- Panama
- UK
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