South Africa’s Indian community has waited 15 years for a direct India flight
After years of government promises, South Africa still has no direct passenger flight to India. The delay carries financial, commercial and personal costs for travellers and families, argues Sanjith Hannuman.
For most South Africans, the lack of a direct flight to Mumbai is merely an inconvenience. However, for the Indian community, it is perceived as a significant insult. Families traveling to attend funerals or celebrations in India face a 15-year-old promise from the government that has yet to be fulfilled. While money spent on expensive layovers can be recuperated, time cannot.
The nine-hour Johannesburg-Mumbai flight operated by South African Airways has now stretched to 14-16 hours with layovers in Doha, Dubai, or Addis Ababa. This lost time is not merely an inconvenience but a significant emotional and financial burden for grieving families and working parents. South Africa's Indian community is not an ordinary diaspora; it is the largest population of Indian descent outside India, with over 1.8 million citizens residing in the country.
Despite their importance, South African Indians remain a fraction of what their ties would predict, with only 69,680 arrivals in 2025. The fragmentation of efforts among three provincial governments and the lack of a coordinated national approach has exacerbated the community's frustration. The Consulate General of India in Johannesburg, Shri S Koventhan, has met SAA's acting group chief executive, but a unified approach is needed.
Similarly, South Africa's High Commissioner to India has been engaging Indian business sector representatives, but a coordinated effort by the Presidency and the two High Commissioners is required. President Ramaphosa has shown openness to addressing this issue, and a small, dedicated team could help move the process forward.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
