+44 20 7937 4408 info@atta.travel
Join Atta Log in

News

Previous Posts
Archives
07 June 2016

Direct flight between US and Cape Town on the cards

Cape Town Air Access (CTAA), a division of WESGRO, says it has prioritised the landing of a non-stop flight between the United States and Cape Town International.

Western Cape tourism and business leaders with strong connections to the USA, specifically Florida, have indicated that connectivity is aimed at Miami, the 4th largest economy in the United States and with over 19m residents - but the airline to operate this route has yet to be confirmed.

CTAA says the business case for a route to the United States is strong, "given that the US is the Cape's third largest tourism source market (200 000 arrivals in 2015), and its fifth largest buyer of Western Cape products, and largest foreign direct investor."

The US Commercial Service confirmed that American businesses have shown strong investment numbers for the region and a direct flight would drive exponential growth. Enterprise Florida conveyed strong support for such a route as CTAA says there is a strong alignment between the Cape and Florida, as both act as gateways to emerging markets - Florida to Latin America, and the Western Cape to the rest of Africa. Enterprise Florida would also provide generous support and incentives to any airline willing to take up this direct route, according to Wesgro

WESGRO asked Western Cape businesses to help land this route by assisting with lobbying, sharing data to support the business case, or giving insights into US marketing plans. Harris highlighted that WESGRO is leading a more collaborative and open approach to connecting the Cape to priority markets like the USA.

Source: Traveller24