The Netherlands has finally lifted its flight ban on South Africa after six months of travel restrictions. However, while Dutch nationals and tourists will be able to travel to the Netherlands, the majority of South Africans will still be unable to enter the country due to ongoing restrictions imposed by the European Union.

This is expected to allow passenger flights from South Africa again with immediate effect, which spells good news for national airline KLM. In addition to lifting the ban on South Africa, the Netherlands will also permit flights from India and other countries in Central and South America that were previously on the flight ban list.

This was made known through the official website of the government of the Netherlands stating that;

 “As of 1 June 2021, there is no longer a ban on passenger flights from India, South Africa and countries in Central and South America.”

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Along with Dutch nationals and residents, nationals and residents from the European Union and Schengen Area will also be permitted entry. However, nationals from other countries will only be allowed in if they fall into one of the exemption categories. South African nationals won’t be allowed to enter the Netherlands due to a ban imposed by the European Union. 

The lifting of the ban will enable KLM to ramp up flights to and from South Africa. The airline’s South African network has been stopping and starting since the turn of the year, operating on a limited basis due to restrictions. The airline currently operates a daily Amsterdam-Johannesburg service and flies to and from Cape Town four times a week.

The airline plans to introduce daily flights to its Amsterdam-Cape Town route during the summer, with demand likely to be high. In a statement, the airline clarified that face masks are still mandatory onboard all flights. It also outlined its policy that allows passengers to postpone or cancel their trip without surcharge until December this year.

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The removal of the flight ban does not mean all restrictions have been lifted. Passengers traveling from South Africa will still need to show a negative COVID test result to enter the Netherlands. Currently, requirements allow a negative PCR test taken up to 24 hours before boarding, or both a negative PCR test 72 hours before arrival and a negative antigen/rapid test taken up to 24 hours before boarding.

The good news for travelers is the reduction of the mandatory quarantine/self-isolation period from 10 days to five days. However, a negative PCR test must be provided on day five, or travelers will need to complete the full 10 day period.

Since January, the Netherlands has imposed restrictions on flights to and from South Africa due to concerns over the B.1.351 ‘South African’ variant. From January 23rd, the Netherlands enforced some of the world’s strictest travel restrictions at the time, which included a ban on passenger flights from South Africa (with a few exceptions).

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Since the flight ban, a limited flight schedule from South Africa permitted only Dutch and EU nationals into the country, with very stringent testing requirements. The ban forced KLM to suspend its South African network before the Dutch airline resumed operations in late February.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry