► SOUTH AFRICA: SAA axes Cape Town - Heathrow; boosts Accra & Mumbai.

South African Airways (SA) will drop its iconic daily Cape Town - London Heathrow service with effect from 15 August 2012. The airline cited low yields on the route as its main cause for dropping the route. In the last 3 years, the annual number of tourists using London as a final destination or as a transitory airport has declined.

► SOUTH AFRICA: Emirates delays A380 service to Joburg; reduces Cape Town.

Emirates Airlines (EK) has announced the postponement of the resumption of its A380 service from Dubai to Johannesburg originally reported to start 11 June 2012, to 1 October 2012.

Dubai – Johannesburg EK761/762 Planned A380 service resumption now postponed till 01OCT12, instead of 11JUN12"

Read More Here [Airline Route]

Emirates 777 at Cape Town (© Jacobus Saayman)

Additionally, Emirates has announced the reduction in frequency of its Dubai - Cape Town service between 1 September and 30 November 2012 , presently operating 2x daily.

Emirates: Dubai - Cape Town

- Valid 1 Sept - 30 Nov 2012

• EK770 DXB0850 – 1625CPT 77W D
• EK771 CPT1810 – 0525+1DXB 77W D

Read More Here [Airline Route]

► ZAMBIA: Zambezi Airlines to resume flights next month.

Following numerous court cases and the repossession of its aircraft by lessor GECAS, Lusaka-based, Zambian airline Zambezi Airlines (ZJ), is scheduled to restart services from next month.

► ERITREA: Eritrean Airlines to start Johannesburg & Cape Town from May.

South African agents for Eritrean Airlines (B8), AviaReps, reports via Twitter that flights between Asmara and Johannesburg & Cape Town will start on 7th May 2012, with 4x weekly frequencies. 

► BOTSWANA: Air Botswana starts Maun – Cape Town from June 2012.

Air Botswana (BP) is to start Maun - Cape Town direct with effect from 1st June 2012, using their Bae146-300.

Chris Nkwe, the Public Relations Officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana, says the opening of the routes marks a milestone in the growth of the industry in the country, “which is good for the economy of the country”.

“This is a perfect indication that the industry is growing in the country and it is a welcome thing that we appreciate,” he said.

Air Botswana: Maun, Botswana - Cape Town, South Africa
- Effective 1 June 2012

• BP231 MUB1525 – 1755CPT AV85 | 1234567
• BP232 CPT0945 – 1225MUB AV85 | 1234567

Read More Here & Here.