The South African government has finally approved Delta Air Lines' application to fly between Atlanta and Cape Town through Johannesburg after a year-long logjam.
Cape Town, South Africa’s leading touristic destination, is highly sought after by US airlines looking at the post-pandemic recovery of air travel.
"We regard the approval of Delta Air Lines' application to fly a triangular route between Atlanta, Johannesburg, and Cape Town as a big win and we will continue to work hard to expand 'air access' because more flights mean more tourists and more tourists means more jobs in the Western Cape," provincial minister of finance and economic opportunities, David Maynier was quoted as saying by Business Insider.
Delta, which resumed flights to OR Tambo in Johannesburg last August, had initially applied for the triangular route in 2020.
South Africa was however accused of its unwillingness to amend the airline's Foreign Operator's Permit, which saw Delta abandoning its bid to acquire the licence for the triangular route.
In response to the refusal, the US transportation department denied coterminalisation rights previously awarded to South African Airways (SAA).
Cape Town mayoral committee member James Vos said the city’s economy has been given a big boost.
“This approval is a long time coming. I have written several bespoke submissions on behalf of the City to Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula and Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu on this matter over the past few months,” he said.
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