Panafrican News Agency

United Airlines plans New York-Cape Town direct flight

Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) – United Airlines has confirmed that it will launch a new route between Cape Town and New York, making it the first non-stop route to the popular African city.

Once approved by the US Department of Transportation, flights will depart from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, New York, with a fleet of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.

This new route will knock off four hours off the usual transatlantic journey. Currently Cape Town passengers have to fly to Johannesburg for direct flights to New York or Atlanta.

Patrick Quayle, United’s vice president of International Network, said North America was one of the largest unserved markets for Cape Town, with the USA ranked as the third largest market for inbound passengers to Cape Town.

Cathay Pacific has also just confirmed that it will resume flights between Hong Kong and Johannesburg from November 2019.

Cape Town International Airport is undergoing a multibillion Rand expansion project which includes the construction of a new runway.

-0- PANA CU/VAO 16April2018