Wesgro welcomed the news last week that the Western Cape will finally have a direct connection to South America, this after South African Airways announcing a direct, non-stop flight connecting Cape Town International Airport with São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) in São Paulo, Brazil.
Wesgro says this is especially good news as São Paulo was identified as the biggest unserved market with the fastest growth for Cape Town and the Western Cape in 2019, prior to the onset of the pandemic.
In 2019, 43 000 two-way passengers were recorded to have travelled between the two regions, with passenger growth equating to an impressive 26% average growth per year between 2015 and 2019.
The tourism, trade and investment body says the collaborative efforts between the Cape Town Air Access team and São Paulo – GRU airport team have been instrumental in bringing this route to fruition, with both cities recognising the immense potential and impact it holds.
With a direct flight time of up to eight hours, industry leaders say this route’s implementation will significantly reduce current travel duration by over fifty per cent, providing an efficient travel option for passengers.
The official spokesperson for the Cape Town Air Access initiative, and Wesgro CEO, Wrenelle Stander, says the direct connection has been a work in progress for the Cape Town Air Access team for five years.
A direct, non-stop connection will significantly boost the recovery of Latin American traffic to Cape Town, which stood at only 23% in 2022 compared to 2019 passenger volumes. Beyond the convenience factor, Cape Town is perfectly positioned to serve as a connecting hub between Asia and South America – the direct route will be the shortest one available to date.
Current trade relations between Cape Town and Brazil have already shown immense promise, with Cape Town exports to the country reaching over R490 000 000 in 2022.
The Western Cape MEC of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger, says the benefits of the new route will help strengthen the economic ties between the Western Cape and Brazil and also opens up immense opportunities for enhanced trade, tourism, and investment between our two regions.
We commend South African Airways for their commitment to expanding connectivity and contributing to the growth of our economies. This new flight route is a testament to our shared vision of building strong global connections and driving economic prosperity and job creation.
The Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth at the City of Cape Town, Alderman James Vos echoed these sentiments.
This new flight further strengthens our city’s position as a global destination and reinforces the growing economic and cultural ties between Cape Town and Brazil. This will not only enhance connectivity and accessibility between our two vibrant cities but also foster closer collaboration, and cultural exchange, and pave the way for mutually beneficial partnerships. We look forward to welcoming visitors from São Paulo to experience the beauty, vibrancy, and warmth of our city.
The Regional General Manager of Cape Town International Airport, Mark Maclean, also commented on the new route, saying, “We are thrilled to welcome the new direct route between Cape Town and São Paulo, which holds great potential for both passenger and cargo traffic. Cape Town International Airport is committed to providing world-class facilities and services to accommodate the growing demand and ensure a seamless travel experience for all passengers and cargo operators. We commend South African Airways for their commitment to our destination with the addition of this much-needed route, and we look forward to facilitating and ensuring the success of this new route.”
The direct flights between the two cities is set to commence in October 2023.
