Direct Flights from São Paulo to Cape Town: LATAM Strengthens South Africa’s Tourism Appeal

Published on November 26, 2025

LATAM Airlines has announced that it will start servicing a new route from São Paulo to Cape Town in September 2026. This will allow for the first-ever direct commercial flight from Brazil to Cape Town. As a result, many tourists, business passengers, and freight shippers will now be able to access Cape Town. We’ll see the start of a new chapter in the tourism and aviation industries in South America and Southern Africa, as this route continues to improve the already positive relations between the two geographic regions, and will continue to support Brazil’s growing connectivity to South Africa.

Since 2021, LATAM was already providing flights to South Africa’s capital, Johannesburg, and starting September 2026 will be able to offer flights to Cape Town. This will allow the airline to offer a dual-gateway approach in South Africa, which will improve access to the various international and regional markets. Unlike Johannesburg, which will continue to act as a major commercial hub, Cape Town will allow LATAM to meet the growing demand for leisure tourism in the region.

Strengthening Travel Connections Between Brazil and South Africa

Travel to this region of the world will be made easier by the new direct flights from São Paulo to Cape Town, which will be beneficial to the South African tourism sector. This new route will be beneficial to both leisure and business tourism. Cape Town has a vibrant culture and scenic attractions (e.g. Table Mountain, the Cape Winelands) that Brazilians enjoy. Traveling directly to Cape Town from South America will be easier as these travelers will not have to stop in Johannesburg or other African cities.

Cape Town is becoming more and more of a business and tourist hotspot. This service becomes available as Cape Town rises in popularity. Outdoor, South American, and culinary-centric tourism ventures from Brazil to South Africa should increase as travelers will have more opportunities to enjoy the diverse attractions, cuisines, and outdoor activities the city has to offer, along with the heritage and events the city has to offer.

The new direct flights will also benefit the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) sector, which is expected to be significant. Much tourism or travel to and from Cape Town is for business or corporate purposes. Now that travel to and from South Africa is easier, tourism or travel for business purposes will also increase. This will further enhance Cape Town’s reputation as a world meeting center.

The New Cargo and Freight Opportunities From This Season

Cargo transport also benefits from the addition of the direct flight. Perishables, pharmaceuticals, and other specialty exports can now be efficiently shipped to and from Brazil and South Africa using the Boeing 787s being deployed to the route, which will be equipped with belly-hold cargo space. Growing trade relations in high value goods dependent agricultural, textile, and manufacturing transport industries will be enhanced.

The new travel and cargo flight route from LATAM in São Paulo to Cape Town will also contribute to LATAM being able to foster and develop uneven travel and trade corridors. Freight and travel operators will be able to coordinate and manage supply streams more effectively and efficiently. Reduced transport costs can be passed along to operators in both countries and assist them in market share growth with new clients.

More Flights across Europe and Staying Closer to Home

The 2026 addition of the Cape Town direct route will also have as its new additions Amsterdam and Brussels, which LATAM recently expanded to. This means airlines under LATAM will be able to sell more seats and open new routes more often. New long haul connections to Brussel’s main flight hub will also open faster access to Brussel’s and various European travel and trade routes.

Domestically, LATAM is strengthening its presence in Brazil by expanding into four new destinations: Uberaba, Juiz de Fora, Caldas Novas, and Campina Grande. This will help enhance regional connectivity and improve feeder traffic to São Paulo–Guarulhos. This, in turn, will aid the airline in addressing its international expansion.

Strategic Impact for South Africa’s Tourism and Aviation Sectors

The new São Paulo–Cape Town route offers strategic advantages to South Africa’s tourism and aviation sectors. With a direct route to São Paulo’s largest hub and now greater connectivity to South Africa, LATAM makes Cape Town a more desirable destination for travelers from South America, especially Brazil, whose outbound tourism is booming. This route eases the travel process and streamlines the overall travel experience by shortening travel time, thus enhancing Cape Town’s position in the global tourism arena.

From the perspective of South Africa’s tourism sector, the new route offers an avenue through which Cape Town can be showcased in its full splendour, thus portraying its scenic, cultural, and culinary offerings. It will also attract business travelers, cultural-heritage-conscious tourists, and adventure seekers to the hit travel destination.

Future Opportunities for Regional Cooperation

LATAM’s arrival to Cape Town is expected to boost partnership prospects for airlines and tourism service providers across Southern Africa. The realisation of more tourist arrivals in Cape Town will allow tourism boards and travel operators to develop more integrated travel offers and package retailing to other destinations and travel experiences in Brazil.

The commencement of direct flights from Brazil to Cape Town will also give a boost to South Africa’s competitiveness in global tourism. More direct service flights will result in growing tourist arrivals and more regional cooperation in tourism and aviation.

Conclusion

The announcement of LATAM’s São Paulo–Cape Town route in 2026 marks the start of a promising era for the tourism industry in South Africa and the Pan African aviation industry. By linking Brazil and South Africa more directly, LATAM provides a boost for travel and trade in South Africa, and promotes Cape Town as a more prominent global destination. South Africa will have more opportunities to position itself as a tourism hub in Southern Africa as well as in global tourism. The integrated freight services and tourism will complement each other growing both sectors.