India and South Africa conduct nearly US$19 billion in bilateral trade annually. South Africa is also home to over 1.6 million people of Indian/Asian origin, making it the largest Indian diaspora in Africa. Despite all this, due to financial losses, South African Airways (SAA) discontinued its direct flight to India more than a decade ago.
As a result, ever since, every traveller, every business executive, every family making the journey between Johannesburg and Mumbai or Delhi has had to do so via a third country, adding hours, cost and complexity to what should be a straightforward journey.
But that may all be about to change. The Consulate General of India in Johannesburg recently met with SAA’s Acting Group CEO to make a direct case for restoring air connectivity between the two countries, stating that the direct flights are no longer a matter of convenience but of strategic necessity. SAA, in turn, committed to fast-tracking the proposal.
“India is a destination that South Africans need to explore more,” says Shirley-Ann McQuade, Flight Centre South Africa’s Regional Manager for the Western Cape. “You’re going to get real bang for your buck. It’s not like travelling to Europe where you’ll pay R150 for a coffee and a croissant. The rand goes further in India, and I think there’s a massive opportunity there that the South African travel market hasn’t fully woken up to yet.”
Why direct connectivity matters more than it might seem
A Johannesburg-India service would serve six distinct flows simultaneously: business travel, tourism, diaspora visits, investment, air cargo and sport. With South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia set to host the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2027, the sporting dimension alone adds considerable urgency.
For the 1.6 million South Africans of Indian origin, many of whom travel to India regularly to visit family, observe religious occasions or connect with heritage and spiritual sites, the practical impact would be immediate and significant. And for the growing number of South African travellers drawn to India’s wellness retreats and cultural richness, direct access would remove the single biggest deterrent currently standing between them and the destination.
“The lack of direct connectivity is probably the biggest thing holding India back as a tourism destination for South Africans right now,” says McQuade. “It hasn’t really recovered as a leisure destination since the pandemic, and I think that’s partly because it hasn’t been heavily marketed or promoted here, but also because the journey itself is a significant undertaking. A direct flight would change that conversation completely.”
What the journey looks like right now
While the corridor remains a work in progress, for South Africans willing to navigate the existing routes, India is accessible right now.
The most commonly booked routings currently connect South Africa to India via Middle Eastern hubs, with Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa also a popular option. Total journey time from Johannesburg or Cape Town, including connection, runs to approximately 19 to 20 hours depending on the routing and layover duration – a commitment that a direct flight, estimated at roughly nine to ten hours, would reduce dramatically.
Peak travel periods (October – March) see both higher demand and higher prices. Monsoon season (June – September) offers lower fares but comes with the obvious trade-off of heavy rainfall across much of the country.
Current pricing sits broadly between R15,000 and R25,000 per person return, with meaningful variation depending on the time of year, how far in advance you book, and which airline and routing you select. McQuade’s advice is to book three to four months ahead for the best combination of availability and price. “Leave it later and prices go up. This is not a route where last-minute deals tend to work in your favour,” she says.
India offers an e-visa for South African passport holders, which simplifies the application process tremendously. However, McQuade is emphatic about one point: do not treat this as a last-minute task.
“I would allow at least two to three weeks for your visa. Technically, it can come through in around five days, but you need to factor in Indian public holidays and inconsistencies when it comes to seasons. Leave yourself the buffer.”
Travelling to India: What to know before you go
India rewards travellers who arrive prepared. For first-timers especially, the gap between an overwhelming experience and an extraordinary one often comes down to how well the practical details have been handled before departure.
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- Arrive with your logistics sorted. Indian airports, particularly the major international hubs of Mumbai and Delhi, are busy and can feel quite chaotic. “You need to have your wits about you when it comes to getting from point A to point B. I would strongly recommend having your transfers pre-arranged,” McQuade comments.
- Travel insurance is non-negotiable. “India is an incredible destination, but it’s also one where your stomach may need a day or two to adjust to the local food. A policy that covers medical expenses and any necessary itinerary changes is worth every rand,” says McQuade.
- Consider a guided tour for your first visit. India’s scale and complexity make it one of the destinations where a structured tour pays dividends. “There are excellent operators like G Adventures and On The Go Tours that offer ground-level guided experiences. You get to experience India authentically and locally, but with a framework around it, which means you won’t get lost, and you’re going to see things you simply wouldn’t find on your own.”
- Pre-book your accommodation. While India has a well-established backpacker culture and plenty of travellers who arrive without fixed plans, McQuade is clear about the importance of booking ahead if you value your comfort.
In short, a more convenient option for getting to India may indeed be on the horizon. But in the meantime, the destination is worth the journey.
“The travellers who’ve made the trip to India always come back saying the same thing: why did I wait so long? Direct connectivity will make that decision easier for a lot of South Africans, but the destination – and the value for money it provides – is special,” McQuade concludes.
FLIGHT CENTRE TRAVEL GROUP SOUTH AFRICA
Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) SA is part of Flight Centre Travel Group, an Australia-based international travel company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, with a market cap of AU$2.15 billion and a current share price of AU$10.51 as of 23 September, 2026. FCTG with three leading brands: Flight Centre, Corporate Traveller and FCM, of which Corporate Traveller and FCM are proud level 1 BBBEE Contributors. FCTG SA is wholly owned and has been recognised as one of Deloitte’s Best Companies to Work for in South Africa for over a decade.