Intercity Express Competitors

South Africa Airways (SAA) began operations on 1 February 1934. SAA is a leading carrier in Africa, serving domestic, regional and international routes. SAA is a member of the largest international airline network, Star Alliance. SAA’s core business is providing passenger airline and cargo transport services and related services, which are provided through SAA and its wholly owned subsidiaries: SAA Technical (SAAT), a world-class maintenance facility and Air Chefs, the catering entity of SAA. SAAT has successfully delivered high-quality maintenance services such as major airframe checks; engine overhaul; mechanical components; avionics, and line maintenance. From its first flight in 1934, SAA have welcomed the world to South Africa by showing off the warm generous heart of the country. The airline has more than 90 years of excellence and innovation to draw on.

Airlink is South Africa’s leading privately-owned premium regional airline, connecting Southern Africa with the broadest network across the continent and beyond. With 47 destinations in 15+ African countries, including the remote island of St Helena, and an expanding fleet of 70 commercial aircraft, Airlink provides unrivalled connectivity for business and leisure travellers throughout the region. For over three decades, Airlink has defined reliable, customer-centric aviation in Africa. Operating more than 75 000 flights annually and carrying over 4 million passengers each year, the airline has built a reputation for industry-leading punctuality and operational excellence, consistently delivering on-time performance that ranks among the best in Southern Africa. Airlink’s independence, grounded in its own IATA 4Z designation and robust safety standards (IOSA accredited), allows it to innovate and expand with agility while maintaining strong interline and codeshare partnerships with international carriers. Founded in 1992, Airlink’s evolution from a regional carrier to a cornerstone of intra-African travel reflects its enduring commitment to connecting people, markets and opportunities across the continent. Today, Airlink stands for reliability, relevance and regional leadership, driven by a mission to provide safe, efficient and memorable travel experiences for every passenger.

Intercape is the largest intercity passenger transport service operating in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique. Johan Ferreira Sr. was born in 1934. After 18 years as a schoolteacher in Namibia, he decided in 1971 to start a passenger bus company with one bus only, and called the business “Central Bus Service”. Over a period of 5 years, the company expanded its business to 5 busses and also changed its name to “Windhoek Bus Service”. In 1979, Mr Ferreira started a second passenger bus company in Cape Town, South Africa and called it “Intercape”. At first, the company operated a shuttle service between the Cape Town airport and the City Centre only. In 1986, Intercape applied for and obtained intercity permits for the transport of passengers between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. It was also in this year that Johann Ferreira Jr, joined his father at Intercape. In 2008, Johann Ferreira Jr bought 100% of the shares of Intercape from the Ferreira family trust and took over the management of the company. Today, Johann, together with a handpicked team of highly skilled and dedicated professionals make it their mission to provide a safe, dependable and affordable road transport service to passengers throughout Southern Africa.