More direct CT flights welcomed

Business in the Western Cape has welcomed a decision by British Airways (BA) to increase its direct flights to Cape Town from May next year. The additional flights will go a long way in filling the gap left in the market last year when South African Airways (SAA) cancelled all direct flights between Cape Town and the UK. The Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry said there would be more value from the direct flights provided by BA than from those provided previously by SAA. “The main reason for this is that BA has better international connections,” said CCCI president Janine Myburgh. The Chamber, which was vehemently opposed to SAA’s decision to cancel the direct flights, said BA was filling a necessary gap. “It was always a route with great potential and when SAA pulled out they left the door open for the competition,” said Myburgh. Alan Winde, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, said the UK remained a strategic route for Western Cape business and the capacity generated through this move would benefit the province significantly. “Direct flights do matter. That is why we are currently developing an air access strategy where we are investigating the establishment of further direct routes between Cape Town and strategic destinations.”