New Airlink Route Set to Boost Travel Between Gqeberha and Mpumalanga

Airlink has announced a new direct route between Gqeberha and Mbombela, creating an important new connection between the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga from 16 November 2026. The service will operate three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, offering travellers a convenient alternative to connecting through Johannesburg. The airline will utilise a 44-seat Embraer ERJ140 aircraft on the route.

The introduction of the service is expected to strengthen tourism and business links between the two regions while opening new opportunities for domestic leisure travel. The route directly connects some of South Africa's premier tourism regions, the Eastern Cape's coastal destinations, the Garden Route, and the Kruger National Park which offers an additional range of safari and adventure experiences.

For Nelson Mandela Bay, the announcement represents another positive step towards improving air access, a priority that has been pursued through the Nelson Mandela Bay Airlift Programme since its establishment in 2018. The initiative was formed through a partnership between the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (EDTA), Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), Eastern Cape Park and Tourism Agency (ECPTA), tourism stakeholders and provincial partners to improve the city's connectivity, support tourism growth and create new economic opportunities.

Over the past eight years, the programme has actively engaged airlines and aviation stakeholders to retain existing services, grow passenger volumes and secure new route opportunities. Improved air connectivity has been identified as one of the key factors in unlocking tourism growth, attracting investment and making the destination more accessible and competitive. 

The new Gqeberha-Mbombela connection is expected to benefit both regions, particularly during the peak summer holiday period. The service will make it easier for travellers from Mpumalanga and surrounding areas to visit the Eastern Cape's beaches, wildlife attractions, cultural experiences and events. It is also expected to support the important visiting friends and relatives (VFR) market, which remains one of the largest drivers of domestic travel in South Africa.

Tourism stakeholders believe the route could help unlock greater travel flows along the broader tourism corridor stretching from Mpumalanga through the Garden Route and into the Eastern Cape. The improved accessibility creates opportunities for multi-destination itineraries that combine wildlife, coastal and adventure experiences, encouraging longer stays and higher visitor spend across the regions.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Airlift Committee continues to focus on attracting new routes, retaining existing airline services, increasing visitor arrivals, reducing travel barriers and supporting economic development through improved connectivity. Its work is guided by four strategic focus areas: retaining existing routes, expanding airline networks, attracting additional carriers and pursuing entirely new route opportunities. 

The launch of the Airlink service demonstrates the growing recognition of the importance of regional air connectivity in supporting tourism and economic growth. For Nelson Mandela Bay, it represents another welcome addition to the domestic aviation network and reinforces ongoing efforts to improve access to the city and the wider Eastern Cape. 

For more info visit: Airlink Launches Gqeberha-Mbombela Flights | FlyAirlink