Recent engagements in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, aimed at rebuilding essential government and tourism industry relationships, have fruitfully contributed to the initiation of these direct flights and the strengthened ties between the nations.
SOUTH AFRICA – Cape Town Tourism and the City of Cape Town announce the upcoming direct South African Airways (SAA) flights between Cape Town and São Paulo, starting from 31 October 2023, followed by Johannesburg-São Paulo from 6 November 2023. These routes symbolize SAA’s dedication to rekindling the ‘South to South Trade and Travel Corridor’, cultivating stronger relations between South Africa and Brazil.
Recent engagements in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, aimed at rebuilding essential government and tourism industry relationships, have fruitfully contributed to the initiation of these direct flights and the strengthened ties between the nations.
Enver Duminy, CEO of Cape Town Tourism, expressed, “We are enormously proud of SAA’s initiative in the introduction of these direct flights, which marks a substantial step in reinforcing connections between our destinations. SAA’s proactive role in boosting tourism and trade is commendable and speaks volumes of the effective collaboration we share.”
Alderman James Vos, the Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth at the City of Cape Town adds, “In April, Enver and I met with various airline executives, tourism bodies and investment agencies in Brazil to present Cape Town’s destination offerings, and make a case for a direct flight that will allow for easy access to and from this important source market. I must also give praise to our Air Access team in Wesgro for their engagements with aviation stakeholders over a long period to help secure direct routes. Brazil is South Africa’s biggest trading partner in Latin America and in terms of tourism. With this new direct flight, we will firm up relations between our two regions, boost trade, and bring more South American tourists to Cape Town. Now that this route is ready to take off, we will continue to drive increased destination marketing to attract more South American travellers to our shores. It gives me great pleasure to see this flight confirmed since aviation is a cornerstone of our trade and travel value proposition and our goal to create a tourism-related job in every household in Cape Town. This is why we will continue to lobby for further opening up the air transport market, because improved connectivity in air travel enhances the level of productivity, opens up new markets, boosts exports, and increases competition.”
Interim CEO of South African Airways, Professor John Lamola, says, “We are overjoyed to announce São Paulo as our first international destination since the airline successfully emerged from an intensive Business Rescue process and Covid-19 lockdown. It also marks the return of our long-haul service out of Cape Town. Our decision to begin the relaunch of our long-haul service with São Paulo was taken based on a rigorous analysis of the viability of the route. Sustainability has been at the heart of SAA’s approach since our restart. The teams at SAA are working hard behind the scenes to gear our operations for this much anticipated route launch to South America.”
Enver Duminy concludes, “While we celebrate the launch, we’re already looking towards the future. Our partnership with SAA is about more than just recognising the initiation of these routes. Our focus is on supporting and promoting the sustained success of these routes, thereby creating a lasting story of growth and shared prosperity.”
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
