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Here is some good news for travellers in both South Africa and India.
The restart of scheduled flight services between South Africa and India will significantly cut down the travel time for anyone who needs to travel between the two countries.
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INDIA: A PRIORITY
The reinstatement of direct air services between the two countries is said to be a priority for Gauteng Air Access Network (GAAN).
Established in 2021, GAAN is a partnership between various public and private sector stakeholders, including the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, the Gauteng Tourism Authority, the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency, the City of Ekurhuleni, Airports Company South Africa (Acsa), the Board of Airline Representatives of Southern Africa, South African Tourism and the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA).
GROWING AIR CONNECTIVITY
GAAN is working to enhance domestic, regional and international air connectivity into and out of Gauteng.
According to Tourism Update one of GAAN’s priorities includes the establishment of direct flights between OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) and the Indian cities of Delhi and Mumbai.
“We are certainly targeting airlift from India,” MEC Tasneem Motara said, per Tourism Update.
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SA-INDIA LINKS
There are a number of people who travel between SA and India. As such, there are significant flows of people and goods between the two countries.
This is due to cultural and trade connections between South Africa and India.
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IMPORTANT LINKS
SA is home to sizeable communities whose heritage is connected with India.
The country is also a member of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) group of nations.
Just recently, BRICS held its annual conference in Johannesburg.
It was decided at the conference that air connectivity between BRICS members should be enhanced in order to strengthen and improve ties.
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SA-INDIA FLIGHTS
The two countries were previously linked by direct flights. South African Airways (SAA) operated flights to Mumbai for 19 years before the route was dropped in April 2015.
Privately owned Indian carrier Jet Airways also operated flights on the route. However, Jet Airways suspended its flights in June 2012.
There have been no direct flights between the two nations since the scrapping of flights by these airlines.
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