There is a serious shortage of airline seats to South Africa this winter as the weakening rand makes the destination more affordable for travellers from the UK. British Airways has already responded by adding extra services to Johannesburg while Virgin Atlantic is using larger aircraft and adding extra flights to Cape Town this winter.

Karen Gore, tours consultant at Southern Africa Travel, said it was difficult to secure flights for people wanting to travel between September and Christmas. 'It is much busier than in previous years. The rand is so weak everyone wants to go to South Africa.'

The operator is offering holidaymakers flights with KLM via Amsterdam or Air France via Paris in addition to direct services from BA, Virgin and South African Airways.

Scott Braidwood, managing director of 1st Contact Travel, said it took four hours to find a flight for one South African returning home for Christmas.

'The increase in demand is phenomenal. Fares have gone up by about 20 per cent,' said Braidwood.

Willem Eksteen, managing director of South Africa Tourism in the UK, said he was talking to BA, Virgin and SAA about further increases in frequency. The tourist board is also in talks with tour operators about launching charter flights to the country next year.