United is the only airline providing a non-stop trans-Atlantic service between Cape Town and North America and the only carrier with nonstop service between South Africa and New York. United operates more non-stop flights between South Africa and the United States than any other airline.
"We are excited to return to the Mother City and the Western Cape as the only airline providing a non-stop trans-Atlantic service between Cape Town and North America," said Bob Schumacher, United regional director sales. "Our nonstop service from Cape Town is not only reconnecting our customers - both business and leisure - to New York City, it also provides the possibility to quickly and conveniently connect via our New York/Newark hub to over 60 onward destinations across the Americas."
"We are delighted to welcome United Airline’s travellers back to Cape Town and the Western Cape and we look forward to working together to land your vision of 'Connecting People, Uniting the World'. The US is an important strategic trade and investment partner for us, strengthened by the bilateral co-operation agreement signed in 2020. The flight provides increased cargo capacity, which bodes well for our local export market wanting to gain access to the US," said David Maynier, Western Cape minister of finance and economic opportunities.
"We are very pleased to see the return of the United flight to Cape Town. The flight was paused due to the global pandemic after what was a successful first season of 2019. As the only direct, non-stop flight to the region from North America, it also holds additional promise for increased passenger numbers from Canada. We officially welcome United back!" commented Wrenelle Stander, Wesgro CEO and Cape Town Air Access spokesperson.
"We have seen numerous travel bans and restrictions being placed on travellers across the world,: said Mark Maclean, general manager of Cape Town International Airport.
"We are therefore delighted that United Airlines will restart operations at Cape Town International Airport as planned. The connection between New York and Cape Town is a very popular route and connects us with a key source market for business and leisure travellers. We are aware that many travellers are looking forward to the return of United Airlines.
"We trust that the travel bans and restrictions are as short-lived as possible and that we will continue to receive visitors to our region during this peak season. We wish to continue to reassure passengers and airport visitors that we remain focussed on their health and safety through the implementation of best practice health compliance standards."
