Summer holiday planning is under way. Airlink has just given South African travellers more to work with.
The airline is expanding its schedule between October and December 2026. Here is what’s changing, and who benefits most.
*A daily Johannesburg–George service*
This is the headline change for Garden Route travellers. From December, Airlink adds a daily return flight between Johannesburg and George.
The flight leaves Johannesburg at 17h35. It lands in George at 19h35.
That’s an evening departure, so it suits people finishing work on the day they travel. George is the gateway to Knysna, Wilderness and Mossel Bay.
*More weekend flights from Cape Town*
Cape Town also gets extra George flights. Two additional return services run on Saturdays and Sundays.
They depart Cape Town at 07h00 and land in George at 07h55. An early weekend flight means a full day on the Garden Route.
Cape Town’s Harare service grows too. Airlink will fly it on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
*Regional upgrades*
Airlink is also improving its regional flying. The new E195-E2 aircraft goes onto the daily Johannesburg–Nairobi route.
The same aircraft adds a business-class option to the twice-weekly Johannesburg–Zanzibar flight from October. In December, that route goes up to three flights a week, using an extra Embraer E190.
Nosy Be in Madagascar gets an additional Saturday flight in December. It leaves Johannesburg at 09h40 and lands at 14h10.
*Lanseria joins the picture*
In November, Airlink launches its first international route from Lanseria. It flies to Harare three times a week on an E190.
We covered that route in August. It’s now part of a bigger Airlink push beyond OR Tambo.
*What this means for South African travellers*
December is peak season. Seats on popular holiday routes tend to sell out early.
The new George flights matter most. George is one of the busiest leisure airports in the country during the festive period.
More frequencies also mean more choice on dates. That can help when school-holiday flights are filling up.
*What we don’t know yet*
The source doesn’t give fares. It also doesn’t give exact December start dates for the new services.
We can’t say what these flights will cost compared with FlySafair or other carriers. That is worth checking before you book.
*The practical takeaway*
If you’re planning a Garden Route holiday, check the new George flights now. Compare Airlink with other carriers on Travelstart before you decide.
Do it early. Festive-season fares usually rise as seats fill.