Mauritius Gains Direct Cape Town Link; Island's Flights Skip Johannesburg

Travellers between South Africa and Mauritius now have a new nonstop option. Airlink has started direct flights between Cape Town and the Indian Ocean island, with the twice-weekly service beginning on 2 October 2026. It is Airlink's first route to Mauritius.

Key facts

• Route: Cape Town–Mauritius, nonstop
• Frequency: twice weekly
• Start date: 2 October 2026
• Aircraft: Embraer E195-E2, 124 seats
• Cabin: 12 Business Class and 112 Economy seats
• Seating: 2-2 layout, so no middle seats

What is the new service?

Airlink operates the route with its new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, which seats 124 passengers in total. The cabin is split into 12 Business Class seats and 112 Economy seats.

Because the aircraft uses a 2-2 seating layout, every passenger has either a window or an aisle seat, and there are no middle seats anywhere on board.

Who is the route aimed at?

The service is positioned for leisure travellers combining Cape Town with a beach holiday in Mauritius, according to the airline. Airlink is also targeting corporate and investment traffic between the two markets.

Mauritius offers high-end beach resorts alongside golf, nature and a sizeable business and financial-services sector. The island grants visa on arrival to citizens of more than 140 countries, which makes it relatively straightforward to combine with a South African itinerary for many international visitors.

What does this mean for travellers?

The direct Cape Town link removes the need for many passengers to connect through Johannesburg, giving travellers flying between the two destinations a nonstop alternative. It also strengthens Airlink's regional and international network.

Travellers considering the route should check whether their nationality qualifies for visa on arrival in Mauritius before booking.

Airlink has not announced additional frequencies or any further Mauritius routes in the announcement. No fares for the new service were released.