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.”