United Airlines resumes nonstop flights to Cape Town from New York
Direct flights between Cape Town and New York have resumed on Thursday, December 2 after a 20 month-long break. The route was suspended a few months after its launch in March 2020 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. According to Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, it was a special occasion to have the first plane in more than 20 months from the airline touched down at Cape Town International Airport.
“This is a special occasion – a day where we can welcome back United Airlines flights from New York to Cape Town. It was heartwarming to see a plane full of excited American tourists ready to explore and enjoy Cape Town,” Hill-Lewis said.
The City of Cape Town, Western Cape Government, Cape Town Tourism,
and Airports Company South Africa, helped facilitate Wesgro’s Air Access
project to open up this route again.
Hill-Lewis said although the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on livelihoods and families, the Western Cape’s tourism industry is a core part of the local economy, supporting tens of thousands of jobs.
“I have said that we will focus all our work on growing the economy and making Cape Town the easiest place to do business in Africa.
“I look forward to seeing this route flourish and connect more people
to each other, and help grow a stronger, resilient relationship between
our two cities,” Hill-Lewis reiterated.
Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, Alderman James Vos, further mentioned that while the travel bans are disappointing, the City along with its partners will continue to work hard to reverse these restrictions to see the return of international airlines and all its travellers who were so keen to visit Cape Town.
“A few weeks ago, we launched a destination marketing campaign in New York and other major cities showing the diversity of experiences and the beauty that Cape Town offers. This route between North America and Cape Town opens travel and trade opportunities that stand to be of significant benefit to our economy,” Vos said.
Vos went on to say that tourism and aviation are crucial drivers of employment and the economy in Cape Town after the airport helped funnel just under R14 billion into the metro while supporting over 28 000 jobs. in 2019.
“We are determined to grow the aviation economy once more, to increase business and leisure tourism, and connect Cape Town to more countries,” Vos indicated.
