South African air-travel highest since onset of Covid-19, says Sisulu
South African air-travel has reached its highest level since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, says Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu.
Sisulu says about 2.3 million people travelled through OR Tambo, Cape Town and Durban airports in March 2022.
“According to ACSA, air travel to and from South Africa has reached its highest levels of activity since the Covid-19 pandemic – almost 2.3 million through OR Tambo, Cape Town, Durban in March – up 70% from the previous year.”
The tourism sector in South Africa was among the hardest hit as a result of the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns.
Under the level four and five regulations, air travel was banned by the government.
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But Sisulu says there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel.
“International tourist arrivals were up 4% in 2021. The outlook for 2022 is better prospects, although opinion is split on whether a rebound will take place in 2022 or 2023. The UN World Trade Organisation expectation is that international arrivals will return to 2019 levels only in 2024 or later.
“South Africa is among those African destinations that experienced the biggest declines in arrivals in 2021: 78% down vs 2019, while countries in East Africa were not as deeply affected.”
Sisulu will deliver her budget vote in the National Assembly on Thursday afternoon.
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