17-12-2016
Thomas Cook Airlines now operates three non-stop flights from Gatwick Airport to Cape Town International Airport weekly using the airline’s A330 fleet which has both economy and new premium class cabins that offer luxury at affordable rates.
According to South African Tourism in 2015 the Western Cape welcomed over 244 000 United Kingdom (UK) visitors. Current capacity on flights between Cape Town International and Heathrow Airport is almost at 90%, so the 11 600 additional direct seats to Gatwick Airport Thomas Cook is providing per year is a strong indicator of market growth.
This new route, officially launched in August, is Thomas Cook's first in South Africa and the result of a collaborative effort by Cape Town Air Access, a strategic division at Wesgro and collaboration by the Western Cape Provincial Government, the City of Cape Town, the Airports Company South Africa, Cape Town Tourism and the private sector.
This week Wesgro took 20 UK travel journalists on their first visit to South Africa on a tour of the Cape in order to give them firsthand experience of our various attractions that will hopefully inform future pieces they do on the province.
We look forward to welcoming Thomas Cook Airline’s clients and the numerous opportunities this new route will provide the Cape economy.