IBERIA is considering reintroducing
direct flights
to Johannesburg in either
2016 or 2017. The Spanish
airline suspended its thriceweekly
flight between Madrid
and Johannesburg in April
2012, citing the sharp rise in
fuel prices and the continuing
world economic crisis as the
main reasons.
A direct flight could
considerably boost the
popularity of Spain for South
African travellers. Theresa
Szejwallo, md of The Travel
Corporation, says all five TTC
brands represented in South
Africa have touring or river
cruising options in Spain. She
says although the destination
is quite popular already, a
direct flight would boost
numbers out of South Africa.
Currently, the best way
to get to Spain is through
the Middle East or Europe.
“Qatar, Emirates, Air France
and SWISS all offer night
flights with arrivals in Madrid
between mid-morning and
lunchtime. The connectivity
is good but a direct flight is
always going to be trumps in
that it offers more capacity
and no stopovers.”
Megan d’Arcy, product
manager of kulula holidays,
told TNW that although
access was not a big issue
currently “it would be great
to see Iberia picking up the
route again”, as passengers
factor in direct access
when deciding on a holiday
destination.
Other factors that are
important to customers are
price and the flight schedule,
Megan adds. “Does the flight,
for example, connect with the
cruise the client is boarding
on a specific day? Are there
daily flights and when do
they depart and arrive? Does
the flight from SA connect
seamlessly to onward
destinations?”
The airline is currently
exploring its options –
Tokyo, Toronto, San Juan,
Doha, Brasilia, Managua,
Gaudalajara and Asuncion are
all currently being considered.
“The new destinations will
be announced before the
end of the year following
negotiations and profitability
studies,” spokesperson
for Iberia, Laura Tirado
Martínez, told TNW. The
airline is currently doing a
feasibility study of each route.
“Most critical is return on
investment. Flights must be
sustainable and profitable
both now and in the medium
and long term,” she says.
