How the new flight between CT & US will boost the local economy

Wesgro's Tim Harris said the United Airlines flight would position Cape Town as an investment hub and allow for high-value air freight.

A United Airlines jet takes off at LAX in November 2014. Picture: AFP

Lizell Persens | 358 days ago

CAPE TOWN – The Western Cape Tourism, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Wesgro) says the benefits of a new non-stop flight between Cape Town and the US extend beyond tourism.

United Airlines has announced it intends launching a new direct route to the Mother City from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, New York, in December.

Wesgro's Tim Harris said this would position Cape Town as an investment hub and allow for high-value air freight.

“This flight will bring an additional 24,000 passengers to the market each year with R283 million impact on direct tourism spend, increasing the province’s output by more than R400 million,” he said.

Next stop: Cape Town, South Africa.

We're getting ready to fly the only nonstop service between the United States and Cape Town. https://t.co/udNo9HKc6j pic.twitter.com/KSnDwdjDb7
— United Airlines (@united) April 15, 2019

Mayor Dan Plato has also lauded the development. He said had been in the works for some months after he’d a conversation with the American consul general.

“I’m very pleased it materialised.”

LISTEN: New direct flight from CT to US welcomed

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How the new flight between CT & US will boost the local economy

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