Norse Atlantic Airways will commence a new affordable service between London Gatwick Airport and Cape Town International Airport, according to the Wesgro Tourism newsletter received on May 3.
We are told that the seasonal service will operate three weekly flights starting on 28 October 2024.
The addition of Norse Atlantic Airways‘ direct flights will increase the weekly international flights between Cape Town and the UK to 27 flights a week during South Africa’s upcoming summer season, when the Brits usually flock to Cape Town and all of Cape Town receives them so happily because … you know … pounds!
The UK is Cape Town’s top market for international passengers, followed by the US and Germany. In 2023, the market saw growth of 54% in two-way passenger traffic on 2022 levels, with more than 360,000 passengers flying between the two destinations.
A recent country report from Wesgro’s Research Unit highlights the fact that British visitors are not just here for the sunshine, the wine and the hot women. Between January 2010 and November 2023, the UK initiated a total of 105 Foreign Direct Investment projects in the Western Cape, generating an estimated capex exceeding R25 billion and creating over 6,600 jobs.
Old news now … 3 August 2022: Direct non-stop Atlanta to Cape Town:
The Americans are coming … and we are going to Atlanta, Georgia!
Delta Airlines has has announced the launch of a direct service between Cape Town and Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), the world’s busiest airport based on passenger numbers.
More than 76 million passengers travelled through the airport, a main hub for Delta Airlines, in 2021.
The Western Cape’s Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger, said: “More flights mean more visitors, and more visitors mean more jobs.
“Future investors are first visitors, and so this is also a wonderful opportunity to showcase the strong business offer of our destination.
“Overall, this is great news for the economy of the Western Cape and for our number one priority of growing our economy and creating jobs.”
Wesgro CEO and official spokesperson for the Cape Town Air Access project, Wrenelle Stander, added: “The United States is leading the way in terms of tourism recovery for the country. It is most promising to see Cape Town and the Western Cape getting access to this bourgeoning market.
“Not only do new routes enable increased tourism and investment, but facilitate much needed cargo capacity, enabling increased trade between our two regions.”
Delta’s Cape Town flight will operate using the airline’s new, state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft (max pax: 440). The flights will operate on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays and will allow customers to connect to multiple destinations including Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Orlando and Miami via Atlanta.