During a panel discussion at last week’s Africa’s Travel Indaba, Acsa CEO Mpumi Mpofu highlighted some of the challenges of reviving a direct air route between South Africa and India.
“This is really about diplomatic relations between South Africa and India,” she explained. “We used to have a peer relationship with India and had flights on SAA to Mumbai, but what happened over the years, and I’ll say it like it is, there was a problem with a dedicated airline from India who eventually exited the space.”
Acsa recently indicated its intention to engage with airlines from India and China, and Mpofu confirmed that the Department of Transport was currently renegotiating the space, which involves agreeing on flight frequencies as well as designating a national carrier to fly between the countries.
“My understanding is that SAA is looking into it, but the issue is that India has not designated an airline. So that double designation is actually an issue.”
Hamish Erskine, CEO of Dube TradePort Corporation, agreed with Mpofu.
“In October last year, we met with two Indian airlines. The first was Air India, and I had a very different conversation from the one I had with them ten years ago. So maybe Air India will be the first to put up their hand eventually.
“The other was Indigo, which is more of a low-cost airline. They were looking at a narrow-body B737 service on the Mumbai to Durban route. It’s touch and go, but we’ve got conversations going on with both of them.” However, Erskine stressed that there were other players involved. “No question about it, Emirates, Qatar and even Turkish are eating that route up.”
Mpofu emphasised to the panel that it was well known that direct connections between South Africa and India were needed.
“I’ve got to tell you that it is imminent. By the time we wrap up 2024, this issue will be behind us.”
