United Airlines is vying for more direct flights between the US and Cape Town, with an additional route from Washington DC on top of their direct flights from New York.
The major US airlines Delta and United, are in the grips of an ensuing battle as both of them are vying for the last remaining flight frequencies as part of the US- South Africa Air Transport Agreement.
The US became South Africa’s dominant tourist market in 2021, overtaking the usual tourist market of the UK and Germany.
Delta Airlines recently increased the frequency of its triangular route between Atlanta, Johannesburg and Cape Town from three to six times a week.
United submitted a supplement to its original application, arguing that non-stop flights between Washington and Cape Town would benefit both countries and why Delta Airlines’ application should be considered the ‘lowest priority’.
According to Business Insider, United’s proposal received a wide range of support from Virginia Senators, Transport Secretary Shep Miller and former ambassadors to South Africa on top of pilot associations and 5 000 airline employees.
If this route does get instated it will be a much-needed boost for the tourism sector which suffered during the pandemic and subsequent travel bans.
Picture: Getaway Gallery
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