Which Airlines Still Fly in South Africa in 2026?
South Africa's airline map has changed dramatically. Kulula is gone. Mango never came back. If you're not sure who you can actually book in 2026, here's the clear, current list — who's flying, who isn't, and who to book instead.
Airlines Still Operating in South Africa in 2026
Five carriers run scheduled domestic or regional flights from South Africa in 2026. This is the complete operating list.
| Airline | Type | Strength | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlySafair Budget | Low-cost | Cheapest fares, best on-time record, largest domestic share | Operating & growing |
| Lift Budget+ | Low-cost | Comfort, Airbus A320 cabin, Lanseria option | Operating |
| Airlink Full-service | Regional | Widest network — safari airports & regional Africa | Operating |
| CemAir Regional | Regional | Niche regional routes, smaller airports | Operating |
| SAA (South African Airways) Full-service | Flag carrier | International + premium domestic, expanding network | Operating & expanding |
Airlines That Have Shut Down
Several once-familiar South African airline names are no longer flying. If you're searching for them, here's the honest status.
| Airline | Status | What happened | Book instead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kulula Ceased | Shut down 2022 | Parent company Comair entered liquidation | FlySafair, Lift |
| Mango Ceased | Grounded 2021, revival failed 2025 | Business-rescue investor withdrew; never returned | FlySafair, SAA |
| SA Express Ceased | Liquidated 2020 | State regional carrier wound up | Airlink, CemAir |
| Comair Ceased | Liquidated 2022 | Operated Kulula & BA franchise; collapsed | FlySafair, SAA |
Who Flies Your Route Now
If your old airline is gone, here's where the routes moved:
- Golden Triangle (JHB–CPT–DBN): FlySafair and Lift dominate, with SAA on premium fares. JHB → Cape Town, JHB → Durban.
- Kruger & safari airports: Airlink only — Hoedspruit, Skukuza, Phalaborwa. JHB → Hoedspruit.
- Secondary cities: FlySafair and Airlink — George, Gqeberha, East London, Bloemfontein. JHB → George.
- Regional Africa: Airlink and SAA — Maputo, Harare, Windhoek, Victoria Falls. JHB → Victoria Falls.
Is Kulula Still Flying?
No. Kulula ceased operations in June 2022 when its parent company, Comair, was placed into liquidation. There is no active plan to bring it back. If you used to fly Kulula on the JHB–CPT–DBN routes, FlySafair and Lift now cover exactly the same network — usually at similar or lower prices. See our Kulula alternatives page.
Did Mango Come Back?
No. Mango was grounded in 2021 and spent years in business rescue. A revival was announced in 2025, but the prospective investor withdrew and the plan collapsed — Mango is not flying in 2026 and the brand is being wound down. FlySafair and SAA absorbed most of the routes it once served. See our Mango alternatives page.
What the Shake-Up Means for Prices
With Kulula and Mango both gone, FlySafair became the dominant low-cost carrier in South Africa — which is good for its scale and reliability, but means less budget competition than the market had a few years ago. The practical takeaway: always compare across the surviving carriers for your dates, because the gap between the cheapest and most expensive option on the same route can be significant.
Before booking, factor in baggage — a "cheap" fare plus a paid checked bag can lose to a slightly higher fare that includes one. See our baggage fees comparison across all operating SA airlines.
Compare live prices across every airline still flying in SA
Search Flights on Travelstart →Compares FlySafair, Lift, Airlink, CemAir and SAA in one search
Frequently Asked Questions
Which airlines are still flying in South Africa in 2026?
FlySafair, Lift, Airlink, CemAir and South African Airways (SAA). FlySafair carries the largest share of domestic passengers, Airlink covers the widest regional and smaller-airport network, and SAA has expanded since returning from business rescue.
Is Kulula still flying in 2026?
No. Kulula ceased operations in June 2022 when parent company Comair was liquidated. It is not operating in 2026. Travellers who used Kulula now mostly book FlySafair or Lift on the same routes.
Did Mango Airlines come back?
No. Mango was grounded in 2021 and the revival collapsed in 2025 when the investor withdrew. It is not flying in 2026. FlySafair and SAA have absorbed most of the demand it once served.
What is the biggest airline in South Africa now?
FlySafair is the largest domestic airline by passengers and market share in 2026, having grown after the exits of Kulula and Mango. SAA remains the flag carrier for international and premium routes.
Which South African airline flies to the most destinations?
Airlink operates the widest network, including smaller airports such as Hoedspruit, Skukuza, Phalaborwa and Richards Bay that low-cost carriers don't serve. For domestic trunk routes, FlySafair has the highest frequency.