United Airlines increases flights to South Africa
Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) – United Airlines is expanding its African network. It launched a new long-haul service from Washington Dulles Airport to Cape Town International Airport in November 2022, operating three times a week.
Its second African route, linking Newark with Johannesburg, operates daily since June 2021 and this route will also be expanded by the airline.
In 2024, arrivals from the United States stood at over 430,000, up by more than 21,000 or 5.2% compared to 2023. A further testament to the impact of direct flights on arrivals is that in 2023, arrivals from the USA stood at over 409,000, an increase of more than 111,000 or 37.4% compared to 2022, when direct flights between South Africa and the USA were introduced.
“We welcome this development and announcement by United Airlines to increase the number of flights between South Africa and the USA as the route has been in high demand and has made travel significantly more seamless between the two countries,” said Tourism Minister Patricia De Lille said.
She said aviation is a crucial factor for the tourism sector as direct flights make travel between destinations more desirable and is proven to increase tourism arrivals between countries.
“The USA is one of South Africa’s top source markets and we will continue efforts to grow arrivals even more from the USA to South Africa,” she added.
-0- PANA CU/MA 11April2025
