On the celebration of 60th anniversary of Washington Dulles International Airport, United Airlines launched their new flight service to Cape Town. To expand its services, they provided with a nonstop flights per week, year-round trip from Washington DC to Cape Town. This new route opened the path of success and opportunities for travel and trade.
The first inaugural flight UA2222 on B787-9 Dreamliner was operated on 17th Nov departed from Washington Dulles Airport at 00:19 to Cape Town International Airport at 13:50. The first passengers including the airline’s Vice President were greeted by the local officials, members of the Western Cape government & the city of Cape Town, local talented Cape Minstrels band, Wesgro’s Cape Town Air Access team. The passengers were sent off on a return flight UA2223 next day from Cape Town to Washington.
Ms. Nomasonto Ndlovu Chief Operating Officer at South African Tourism said, “The United States is a key source market for South Africa. We know that visitors from this market want to come experience our history and culture, our wildlife and safari and of course our beautiful wide-open spaces. South Africa is ready to deliver all of this and much more. As a country we thank our partners United Airlines for their continued support and welcome this direct flight. We invite American travelers to visit Cape Town and then also explore other parts of South Africa as we have a lot to offer across our nine provinces.”
If we talk about past, United States has been Cape Town’s third largest international market and with this new route of two-way passenger volumes. There will be a vast increase in the recovery rate compared to 2019. It is estimated that this new direct service will result in a passenger stimulus of at least 25% for Cape Town. If we go through the comparing rates of air cargo then about 686 metric tonnes was transported in the first quarter of this year between Cape Town and US. 74% recovery rate was seen as compared to the same period in 2019. In year 2021 approximately 2,384 metric tonnes of cargo were transported on the same route and an estimated 50% recovery rate compared to 2019.
Western Cape Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities Mireille Wenger said, “Tourism is a major contributor to the Western Cape, supporting almost 175,000 jobs and generating roughly R15.5 billion in gross value added to the economy in 2019. We are excited to welcome United Airlines direct flights from New York. Not only do these flights boost tourism but they also provide great opportunities to export proudly Western Cape goods via air cargo.”
To boost the investment an estimated 191 international flights will come into Cape Town each week from January next year. We are now moving from recovery to growth in this sector.”
By: Rida Khan (Aviation Author)
Instagram A/c: aviationauthor.ridakhan
