US airline Delta has postponed the launch of their non-stop Cape Town to Atlanta route. It was meant to begin on October 25 to accommodate the start of the winter schedule but has now been pushed to December.
In May 2020, the airline announced they would add Cape Town to their popular Atlanta-Johannesburg route. The new routing will be Atlanta – Johannesburg – Cape Town – Atlanta, using an Airbus A350-900.
Speaking to Travel News, Delta’s director of sales for Africa, Middle East and India, Jimmy Eichelgruen said this delay is a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and South Africa’s international travel restrictions.
Under Level 2 regulations, all international passenger flights are prohibited in South Africa. There is currently no official date set for when borders will reopen and international flights may resume.
“The new flight is now scheduled to start flying from Cape Town to Atlanta on December 14, 2020,” Eichelgruen said.
The Atlanta-Johannesburg flight covers 8,439 miles (13 58km), and is the only US carrier offering this route. Concerns over whether the A350 could manage the non-stop flight from Atlanta to Johannesburg are eased with the addition of the Cape Town leg, as the plane will be able to refuel before returning to the US.
The addition of tourist-popular Cape Town to the route is a great achievement, allowing travellers to enjoy the Mother City as well.
Picture: Twitter / Delta