By Jacqueline Nyingchia
Afrijet FlyGabon, a prominent Central African airline, is set to make aviation history with the launch of its first-ever direct flights to South Africa. To mark this significant milestone, the airline hosted an exclusive launch event on Friday, June 13, at the Starland Hotel in Yaoundé.
The event drew a distinguished assembly of dignitaries, diplomats, business leaders, and media, all eager to learn about this new chapter in regional air travel. The highly anticipated new route, slated to begin July 16, 2025, will establish a vital air link between Johannesburg and Afrijet FlyGabon’s expanding regional network.
This initiative represents a major step forward in fostering stronger trade, tourism, and people-to-people connections between Central and Southern Africa, promising to unlock new opportunities for growth and collaboration across the continent.
During the event, Fadimatou Noutchemo, Afrijet FlyGabon’s representative for Cameroon and Nigeria, expressed gratitude to attendees for their unwavering support. She articulated the airline’s core mission: to provide reliable, human-centered travel experiences.
“We are more than an airline; we are building bridges across Africa,” Noutchemo said. “Each flight is a connection between our people, economies, and cultures.”
She also announced a special incentive from Gabon: tourist visas will be free from July 1 to December, a six-month period offering an unparalleled opportunity for visitors to explore Gabon. With its strategic hub in Libreville, Gabon, Afrijet currently serves more than 10 African capitals, including Yaoundé, Douala, Malabo, Cotonou, Port Harcourt, Brazzaville, Bangui, and Kinshasa.
The addition of Johannesburg will significantly extend Afrijet FlyGabon’s reach into Southern Africa, making air travel more accessible and convenient for a diverse range of travelers, from business professionals and diplomats to leisure seekers.
In anticipation of the new route, Afrijet Flygabon also unveiled a suite of enticing offers. These include special summer promotions, a rewarding loyalty program, and meticulously planned flight schedules designed to accommodate both short stays and complex connecting trips.
Afrijet FlyGabon is committed to delivering a superior travel experience, promising direct and fast flights, affordable fares, friendly onboard service, and flexible booking options for families and professionals.
The launch event was co-hosted with the Embassy of Gabon in Cameroon, whose ambassador received praise for his instrumental role and steadfast support in promoting regional cooperation through enhanced air connectivity. The evening culminated in a lively cocktail reception, where guests engaged in valuable networking, planned future travels, and shared insights about the promising future of African aviation.
Through its strategic expansion into South Africa, Afrijet FlyGabon, operating under the brand Afrijet/FlyGabon, is positioning itself not just as an airline but as a crucial catalyst for African integration, striving to make it easier for individuals and businesses to move, meet, and make things happen across the continent.