The first repatriation flight permitted in terms of revised regulations announced on Tuesday by Transport, Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula departed from the O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
A total of 321 passengers boarded the LATAM flight for Sao Paulo, Brazil.
On Tuesday, Mbalula said foreign countries were allowed to charter their aircraft to South Africa but without passengers except for the crew.
He said the crew would also not be allowed to disembark.
Airports Company South Africa’s Group Executive for Corporate Affairs Refentse Shinners said that there were no major challenges in making the necessary operational arrangements for the first repatriation flight.
He also thanked the officials of the Brazilian Embassy who ensured that the passengers were safely transported to the airport by bus.
The crew of the LATAM aircraft carried an additional 16 crew members so that it could do a crew change at the airport.
The other 16 returned to Brazil as passengers.
