The new route will become the only scheduled non-stop air service linking the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga.
Airlink has announced the launch of a new direct route between Gqeberha and Mbombela (Nelspruit), with flights set to commence on 16 November 2026. The service will operate three times a week and marks the first scheduled non-stop connection between the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga, eliminating the need for passengers to connect through Johannesburg.
The addition further strengthens Airlink’s domestic network while improving accessibility between two regions that have long relied on indirect travel for business, government and tourism.
Three weekly return flights
The new service will operate every Monday, Wednesday and Friday using Airlink’s 44-seat Embraer E140 regional jet. Flights will depart Gqeberha at 10:40, arriving at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport at 12:20. The return service will leave Mbombela at 12:50 before landing back in Gqeberha at 14:35, allowing for efficient same-day travel in both directions.
Airlink says the schedule has also been designed to provide convenient onward connections through both cities, giving travellers access to its wider domestic and regional route network.
A direct bridge between two provinces
Announcing the route, Airlink Chief Executive Officer de Villiers Engelbrecht said the new service responds to increasing demand for easier travel between the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga.
“This new service creates a direct bridge between two economically important regions of South Africa. It removes the need for time-consuming connections through Johannesburg and makes travel significantly more convenient for our customers.”
The airline believes the route will benefit corporate and government travellers while also supporting stronger economic ties between the two provinces.
Boosting tourism and regional connectivity
Beyond business travel, the route is expected to provide a valuable boost to tourism. Travellers from the Eastern Cape will gain faster access to the Kruger National Park and the Lowveld, while visitors from Mpumalanga will have a direct gateway to Gqeberha’s coastline, wildlife attractions and growing commercial hub.
Tickets for the new service are now available, with the inaugural flight scheduled to depart on Monday, 16 November 2026.
