Travellers heading between South Africa and Türkiye will soon have more flight options, with Turkish Airlines expanding its services to both Cape Town and Johannesburg later this year, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The airline will introduce three additional weekly flights to each city from late October 2026, increasing its total South African schedule from 14 to 20 weekly flights.
The move comes as international travel continues to recover, with airlines adding capacity on popular long-haul routes to meet growing demand from both leisure and business travellers.
More flexibility for South African travellers
From 25 October 2026, Turkish Airlines will increase its Johannesburg service from seven to ten weekly flights. Cape Town will receive the same boost from 26 October 2026, also growing from seven to ten weekly services.
The expanded schedule is expected to make travelling between South Africa and Türkiye more convenient while offering smoother connections through Istanbul to the airline’s network of more than 350 destinations across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas.
For South Africans planning overseas holidays, business trips or multi-country itineraries, the additional flights could mean greater flexibility when choosing travel dates and connecting flights.
Istanbul remains a key global gateway
Istanbul has become an increasingly popular transit hub for travellers heading beyond Europe, thanks to its extensive route network linking multiple continents.
Passengers with longer layovers may also qualify for Turkish Airlines’ Touristanbul and Stopover in Istanbul programmes, which allow eligible travellers to explore the city during their journey. Business Class passengers can also access the airline’s dedicated Business Lounge at Istanbul Airport.
According to the published schedule, the additional Johannesburg flights will operate between 25 October 2026 and 27 March 2027, while the extra Cape Town services will run from 26 October 2026 until 28 March 2027.
The expansion reflects continued confidence in the South African market and gives travellers from both Cape Town and Johannesburg more opportunities to connect with destinations across Turkish Airlines’ growing global network.
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