South Africa - entry restrictions and rules [merged thread]
Feb 14, 2021, 9:24 am
#1051
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,123
You are correct, when I try to find a price for flying BA between WDH and JNB, I don't see a fare until June 1. And starting June 1 BA flies only 1x daily. It looks like 4Z flies 3x daily.
Feb 14, 2021, 10:29 am
#1052
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AA LT PLT; HH Diamond; AS 75K
Posts: 2,879
Feb 14, 2021, 11:39 am
#1053
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,123
4Z was originally part of the SAA family. It split off a couple of years ago and is not associated with any alliance. You can't use *A miles/points either. I've flown them a bit as they are basically the only carrier between JNB/CPT and the Kruger Park airports.
Feb 17, 2021, 11:34 am
#1054
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 228
For anyone thinking of flying JNG to Madagascar with Airlink:
Airlink regrets to announce the further suspension of its service between Johannesburg and Nosy Be, Madagascar, up until 27 June 2021. Unfortunately despite multiple efforts from the lodges on Nosy Be, the Nosy Be Tourism Authority and Ravinala Airports, we have to date been unable to obtain certainty as to when Madagascar intends to reopen its borders for regional travel.
Airlink News
Airlink regrets to announce the further suspension of its service between Johannesburg and Nosy Be, Madagascar, up until 27 June 2021. Unfortunately despite multiple efforts from the lodges on Nosy Be, the Nosy Be Tourism Authority and Ravinala Airports, we have to date been unable to obtain certainty as to when Madagascar intends to reopen its borders for regional travel.
Airlink News
Feb 18, 2021, 7:25 am
#1055
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,077
Qatar is reportedly increasing flights to SA
Qatar is reportedly increasing flights to SA
https://umhambi.blogspot.com/2021/02...lights-to.html
18 February 2021
Qatar Airways increases flights to South Africa!
The state-owned flag carrier of Qatar, Qatar Airways, is set to increase flight frequencies to Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg. By March 2021, the airline will operate 28 weekly flights between its main hub Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha and South Africa. Qatar Airways announced that Cape Town will increase to seven weekly flights from 01 March 2021, while return flights Durban increased to three weekly flights on 14 February 2021 and return flights to Johannesburg already increased to 18 weekly flights from 26 January 2021.
https://umhambi.blogspot.com/2021/02...lights-to.html
18 February 2021
Qatar Airways increases flights to South Africa!
The state-owned flag carrier of Qatar, Qatar Airways, is set to increase flight frequencies to Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg. By March 2021, the airline will operate 28 weekly flights between its main hub Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha and South Africa. Qatar Airways announced that Cape Town will increase to seven weekly flights from 01 March 2021, while return flights Durban increased to three weekly flights on 14 February 2021 and return flights to Johannesburg already increased to 18 weekly flights from 26 January 2021.
Feb 19, 2021, 3:17 pm
#1056
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,077
KLM Partially Back, SAA ... Not So Much
KLM is coming back online - with limitations
https://www.tourismupdate.co.za/article/klm-returns-sa
This article (IMHO) somewhat doesn't jibe with the headline
https://www.tourismupdate.co.za/article/saa-fly-may
I've cross posted in the SAA thread about it. Bottom line, I wouldn't be booking SAA anytime soon.
Indeed, while the "positive"/"good news" article is below, this https://umhambi.blogspot.com/2021/02...ts-before.html tends to more clearly lay out the bad situation.
https://www.tourismupdate.co.za/article/klm-returns-sa
This article (IMHO) somewhat doesn't jibe with the headline
https://www.tourismupdate.co.za/article/saa-fly-may
I've cross posted in the SAA thread about it. Bottom line, I wouldn't be booking SAA anytime soon.
Indeed, while the "positive"/"good news" article is below, this https://umhambi.blogspot.com/2021/02...ts-before.html tends to more clearly lay out the bad situation.
Last edited by jsnydcsa; Feb 19, 2021 at 3:21 pm Reason: Create Title
Feb 22, 2021, 8:31 am
#1057
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Teaneck, NJ
Programs: AA L.T. Plat; UA Platinum
Posts: 328
Makes me cautiously-optimistic about my June 24 SA trip. Except for the fact that I'd be coming from Uganda and then from SA to Zambia. Not worried about COVID testing in SA since the resort where I'm staying offers PCR collection and sending sample to JNB for analysis. But getting tested in Uganda in time for late-night June 23 departure might be an issue based on itinerary. But who knows what the testing situation will be in June.
Mar 1, 2021, 4:54 pm
#1058
Join Date: May 2008
Location: "the world is my country"
Programs: Alaska 100K (aka OWS)
Posts: 811
Makes me cautiously-optimistic about my June 24 SA trip. Except for the fact that I'd be coming from Uganda and then from SA to Zambia. Not worried about COVID testing in SA since the resort where I'm staying offers PCR collection and sending sample to JNB for analysis. But getting tested in Uganda in time for late-night June 23 departure might be an issue based on itinerary. But who knows what the testing situation will be in June.
Same issue here! I've asked this question and not found the answer - We are traveling from Windhoek to Doha on Qatar and will be transiting via JNB. Our final destination is Seattle, USA. The USA requires only a rapid antigen test for entry. Is a COVID PCR test REQUIRED for passengers with airside transits through JNB with tickets onward to DOH the same day? JNB airport info says the transit requirements are dependent on the final destination, but our agent and the airlines say that PCR is mandatory to transit JNB.
Mar 2, 2021, 8:22 am
#1059
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AA LT PLT; HH Diamond; AS 75K
Posts: 2,879
Same issue here! I've asked this question and not found the answer - We are traveling from Windhoek to Doha on Qatar and will be transiting via JNB. Our final destination is Seattle, USA. The USA requires only a rapid antigen test for entry. Is a COVID PCR test REQUIRED for passengers with airside transits through JNB with tickets onward to DOH the same day? JNB airport info says the transit requirements are dependent on the final destination, but our agent and the airlines say that PCR is mandatory to transit JNB.
Mar 3, 2021, 10:50 am
#1060
Join Date: May 2008
Location: "the world is my country"
Programs: Alaska 100K (aka OWS)
Posts: 811
PCR COVID test has a 72 hr turnaround in windhoek, rapid has a 24 hr turnaround. USA only requires a rapid, but our agent says I need a PCR to transit JNB airport, even if only airside transit. JNB airport says (very unclearly) that transit requirements depend on the destination city,
Mar 4, 2021, 12:32 am
#1061
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 635
You are required to have a negative PCR test to transit in South Africa. The wording was put into the gazette on Air travel, Pat (p) in the following link. If you want a definitive you have to download each of the gazettes (legal statutes) in turn and see where bits have been replaced or added to which is a pain, but it is clear anyone who arrives (transiting or entering SA) must have a negative PCR to board the flight.
https://www.gov.za/covid-19/individu...virus-covid-19
https://www.gov.za/covid-19/individu...virus-covid-19
Mar 4, 2021, 11:04 pm
#1063
Join Date: May 2008
Location: "the world is my country"
Programs: Alaska 100K (aka OWS)
Posts: 811
You are required to have a negative PCR test to transit in South Africa. The wording was put into the gazette on Air travel, Pat (p) in the following link. If you want a definitive you have to download each of the gazettes (legal statutes) in turn and see where bits have been replaced or added to which is a pain, but it is clear anyone who arrives (transiting or entering SA) must have a negative PCR to board the flight.
https://www.gov.za/covid-19/individu...virus-covid-19
https://www.gov.za/covid-19/individu...virus-covid-19
That give TWO options - a PCR certificate OR a valid negative Covid-19 certificate (which possibly could be a LAMP or Rapid Antigen)? Its a big fuss, because a 3 day wait for a PCR result vs a 2-4 hr wait for a rapid antigen test can make a huge difference in a tight safari schedule. In our case, we will be in the hoanib desert 72 hrs prior to our flight departure, and would have to fly in a nurse for testing or spend 3 extra days in Windhoek prior to transiting JNB to return to the states. Currently we are erring towards the side of caution, and planning to do the testing in camp 3 days prior, but believe me, it's not inexpensive.
Mar 5, 2021, 5:59 am
#1064
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 635
If you check TIMATIC with a connection in SA, it says (https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/pas...quirements.htm ):
"Passport South Africa
Passengers in transit are subject to a check by immigration. ..."
I wonder if the 'valid negative COVID-19 test' in the legal documents they are meaning if have had coronavirus and have recovered? Of course things might change by June.
"Passport South Africa
Warning:
Passengers entering or transiting through South Africa must have a medical certificate with a negative Coronavirus (COVID-19) PCR test result issued at most 72 hours before departure from the first embarkation point.Passengers in transit are subject to a check by immigration. ..."
I wonder if the 'valid negative COVID-19 test' in the legal documents they are meaning if have had coronavirus and have recovered? Of course things might change by June.
Mar 5, 2021, 10:53 am
#1065
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CPT,AMS
Posts: 4,412
Thanks for the link! Helpful, but STILL it says in at least four places "(i) must be in possession of a valid negative PCR test certificate OR a valid negative COVID-19 test certificate, obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel, from an accredited laboratory"
That give TWO options - a PCR certificate OR a valid negative Covid-19 certificate (which possibly could be a LAMP or Rapid Antigen)? Its a big fuss, because a 3 day wait for a PCR result vs a 2-4 hr wait for a rapid antigen test can make a huge difference in a tight safari schedule. In our case, we will be in the hoanib desert 72 hrs prior to our flight departure, and would have to fly in a nurse for testing or spend 3 extra days in Windhoek prior to transiting JNB to return to the states. Currently we are erring towards the side of caution, and planning to do the testing in camp 3 days prior, but believe me, it's not inexpensive.
That give TWO options - a PCR certificate OR a valid negative Covid-19 certificate (which possibly could be a LAMP or Rapid Antigen)? Its a big fuss, because a 3 day wait for a PCR result vs a 2-4 hr wait for a rapid antigen test can make a huge difference in a tight safari schedule. In our case, we will be in the hoanib desert 72 hrs prior to our flight departure, and would have to fly in a nurse for testing or spend 3 extra days in Windhoek prior to transiting JNB to return to the states. Currently we are erring towards the side of caution, and planning to do the testing in camp 3 days prior, but believe me, it's not inexpensive.