NEWS

Delta launches non-stop service connecting Atlanta and Cape Town

• Delta Airlines has announced the launch of a new direct non-stop service connecting Atlanta and Cape Town.

• The thrice weekly service is scheduled to commence on 17 December.

• In addition to the direct service, the airline has been granted approval to operate a triangular service between Atlanta-Johannesburg-Cape Town back to Atlanta.

Delta Airlines has announced that they will be launching a direct service between Atlanta, United States and Cape Town, South Africa following an increase in frequency on the bi-lateral air service agreement between the two countries.

The route will link Cape Town International Airport directly to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) — the world’s busiest airport based on passenger numbers.

The airport’s strategic location – a main hub for Delta Airlines fleet – with its impressively large US domestic network, combine to make it the busiest in the world, with over 76 million total passengers travelling through the airport in 2021 alone.

“Delta has proudly served South Africa since 2006 and with strong customer demand for travel we are delighted to announce our first nonstop flight from Cape Town to Atlanta,” said Jimmy Eichelgruen, Delta’s Director — Sales for Africa, Middle East & India. “Cape Town is the centre of Western Cape tourism and commerce, while Atlanta is the world’s leading hub and gateway to the Americas. Linking these two cities will allow even more opportunity for growth in both business and leisure sectors in the Western Cape region.”

Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger, said: “More flights mean more visitors, and more visitors mean more jobs, and so I am delighted by the news that Delta Airlines will connect Cape Town and Atlanta with a non-stop service, making it easier to travel to our province at the southern tip of Africa. Future investors are first visitors, and so this is also a wonderful opportunity to showcase the strong business offer of our destination. Lastly, it means more cargo traded through the belly of the aircraft, which will boost trade between our regions. 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."

Geordin Hill-Lewis, Mayor of Cape Town added, “I am thrilled by Delta’s announcement of a new direct route between Atlanta and Cape Town, and grateful to Cape Town Air Access for their hard work in facilitating this development. Delta’s direct flight will offer unprecedented access to Cape Town for travellers from the Southeastern United States and, through Delta’s wide range of connecting flights, the whole of North America. I anticipate a steady stream of visitors to Cape Town, looking to make the most of the unique business and tourism opportunities our vibrant city has to offer.”

“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. A total of 3,305 metric tonnes of air cargo was exported from the Western Cape to the US in 2019 alone. We look forward to welcoming the direct route from Delta, deepening our already flourishing relationship with the United States,” said Wesgro chief executive officer and official spokesperson for the Cape Town Air Access project, Wrenelle Stander.

Delta’s Cape Town flight will operate using the airline’s new, state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft featuring all four Delta cabin experiences — Delta One, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+ and Main Cabin. The flight 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.