Lufthansa is the first international airline to resume its scheduled service from Europe to South Africa. LH 572 was warmly welcomed at OR Tambo International airport at 8:30 on 1 October, having departed Frankfurt the evening before on 30 September. 

“Lufthansa is delighted to be at the forefront of the resumption of commercial travel into South Africa and proud to reconnect South Africa to Germany with the first international long haul flight to land in South Africa on the day the travel ban is lifted. South Africa remains an attractive destination for both German business travellers and holidaymakers and as Germany moves into Winter, we look forward to bringing visitors back to South Africa and helping to boost the very important tourism sector again. Health and safety continues to be our top priority and we are committed to maintaining a strict adherence to hygiene regulations for all our flights,” says Dr. André Schulz, General Manager Southern Africa & East Africa Lufthansa Group Airlines. 

German Ambassador Martin Schäfer echoed these sentiments, “This is truly an important moment. After more than six months, international commercial flights are back and here to stay. South Africa relies on contacts into, and connections with, the entire world, as an important hub for investment, trade and business and as a renowned world-class tourism destination.   I am glad that German carrier Lufthansa heeded the call from South Africa without any hesitation, and proudly flies the crane back to Johannesburg just eight hours after the lifting of the flight ban.”

From 1 October, Lufthansa has reopened its three weekly connections between Johannesburg and Frankfurt as well as two weekly connections between Cape Town and Frankfurt.   

Lufthansa flight LH573, Johannesburg to Frankfurt, which will be serviced by a Boeing 747-8 (jumbo), offers passengers seats in all four classes, including First Class. The direct flight will take place on a Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. From 9 October, Lufthansa will also be operating LH577, a twice-weekly (Monday and Friday), Cape Town to Frankfurt direct service using an Airbus A340-300.  All flights will depart at night and land at their destinations in the morning. 

As of now, all flights can be booked immediately through the usual distribution channels and the airlines’ website www.lufthansa.com. The upcoming winter flight schedule will begin on 25 October 2020 and include additional frequencies.

The Lufthansa Group maintained a regular repatriation flight schedule over the six-month travel hiatus, offering a valuable service to the local market in maintaining a connection between South Africa and Europe for those trying to return home or travel on essential business. 

Tourism is of enormous importance for the local economy and job creation in South Africa. More than 10 million holidaymakers visit South Africa every year, around 2.6 million of them from overseas, with tourists from North America and Europe accounting for the largest share of visitors. 

The Lufthansa Group has taken special hygiene measures to protect passengers and employees. These apply not only on board, but also before and after the journey. Details of these measures can be found at www.lufthansa.com/de/en/protection-measures.  Passengers are required to check travel and destination entry requirements before departure.

An important note for passengers: according to the current regulations, passengers entering South Africa are required to present a negative COVID-19 test result no older than 72 hours from time of departure.  International travellers will require mandatory travel insurance, which covers the cost of a Covid-19 test and a 10-day quarantine period if needed. Additionally, travellers will need to show proof of accommodation in South Africa on entry in the event self-quarantine is required.

For those travelling to and from Germany, Lufthansa and its partners offer COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests at walk-in testing centers within Frankfurt (as well as Munich and Hamburg) airport.  Results are delivered within a few hours and passengers can register beforehand online at lufthansa.com prior to arrival.