Subject to government clearance, United Airlines has announced plans to increase service from South Africa by offering three nonstop flights per week year-round between Cape Town International Airport and its New York/Newark hub.
According to United, the new schedule will begin on June 7, 2022, from Cape Town to New York/Newark, and on June 5, 2022, from New York/Newark to Cape Town, with connections to more than 85 U.S. cities including Chicago, Houston, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles via United’s New York/Newark hub.
United is the only airline that flies nonstop from Cape Town to New York and has the most flights from South Africa of any North American carrier.
Bob Schumacher, United Regional Director Sales said: “By introducing more flights from Cape Town to our New York/Newark hub in 2022, we are offering our customers in South Africa greater choice with this direct flight to the U.S.
This enhancement underpins United’s footprint in Africa and our ongoing commitment to our South Africa services.”
More than two-thirds of Americans (68 percent) plan to go big on their next trip, and nearly a third plan to visit a bucket-list destination this year, according to Expedia’s 2022 Travel Trends Report.
Those in the tourist business in South Africa are looking forward to this rebound in international travel.
Wrenelle Stander, CEO of Wesgro said: “This announcement provides much-needed relief to the tourism and hospitality sector in the Western Cape and will support economic recovery in the province.
We welcome the news of this expansion and thank United Airlines for their commitment to serving this world-class tourism destination.”
United began flying from Cape Town in December 2019, and the route rapidly became one of the airline’s most popular overseas destinations.
Later in Africa, the airline capitalized on this success. United Airlines intends to expand service from Cape Town to New York/Newark year-round with nonstop flights.
The expansion of United’s Cape Town to New York service will provide both sides of the Atlantic with new and increased business prospects. New York is the largest regional economy in the United States and a global hub for banking, finance, and communications as a metropolitan center.
It also has a robust industrial and technology sector. With a population of over 6.8 million people and some of the world’s most inventive technology, finance, and media businesses, Cape Town and the Western Cape are the perfect partners. It is also the most important agribusiness and viticulture center in Southern Africa.
