SA Express introduces Johannesburg – Bulawayo route

By Bongani Dube

One of South Africa’s leading airlines, SA Express (SAX), has introduced a direct flight linking Johannesburg and Bulawayo.

 

SA Express will fly the Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft between Johannesburg and Bulawayo

Johannesburg is South Africa’s biggest city and southern Africa’s commercial and industrial hub, while Bulawayo is Zimbabwe’s second biggest city, once touted as that country’s industrial hub.

The new route became operational as of November 18, 2019.

“As we continue to accelerate the phased-in restoration of its network, SA Express will commence flights from Johannesburg, South Africa to Zimbabwe’s second biggest city, Bulawayo, effective November 18, 2019,” says SA Express Interim CEO Siza Mzimela.

SA Express Interim Chief Executive Officer Siza Mzimela

SA Express will operate daily flights between the two regional cities, except on Wednesdays, and a double daily frequency on Fridays. Mzimela says the new route reinforces the airline’s already expansive network presence on the continent, while offering the most convenient connections to their business and leisure customers.

“We remain focused on growing and optimising our route network – especially within the region. The new routes offer customers the convenience of a growing network that is positioned to complement our enhanced flight schedule,” she says.

Popularly known as the ‘City of Kings’, Bulawayo is the developing industrial hub of Zimbabwe, and has an estimated population of one million people, most of whom travel frequently within the region.  The CEO says the airline was confident that the new route was poised for further growth through the stimulation of frequency.

She says SA Express currently flies to 11 destinations, and with the addition of this new regional route, air travel on the continent was now made even easier for their customers.

SA Express proposed flight schedule*

Flight Number	Departure	STD	Arrival	STA	Aircraft Type	Day of Operation
SA1781	JNB*	09:00	BUQ	10:40	CRJ200	Friday
SA1782	BUQ*	11:20	JNB	13:00	CRJ200	Friday
SA1783	JNB	14:00	BUQ	15:40	CRJ200	Sun, Mon, Tues, Thur, Fri, Sat
SA1784	BUQ	16:20	JNB	18:00	CRJ200	Sun, Mon, Tues, Thur, Fri, Sat

Note that this schedule is/was correct at the time of this blog’s publication, and any changes will only be updated on the SA Express official website. 

JNB = OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg

BUQ = Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo.

(Credit: SA Express Official Press Release)