CAPE TOWN - The reopened direct flight route between Cape Town and Paris has been welcomed as a positive development for the Cape Town tourism sector recovery after not being operational for almost a year and half.
The first flight from Paris received a warm welcome on Monday night at Cape Town International Airport after more than 18 months of interruption due to the pandemic.
Last night, Cape Town International Aiport welcomed the first @AirFranceZA flight from Paris ✈️
— France in Cape Town (@FranceCapeTown) November 1, 2021
After more than 18 months of interruption due to the pandemic, the direct route between the 2 cities has finally reopened!@capetownint @CityofCT @Wesgro pic.twitter.com/A55VkqrKbh
Mayco Member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management James Vos said it was exciting to see countries around the world opening to South Africa again.
He said the City was welcoming 150 flights per day while adhering to Covid-19 protocols.
“Connectivity is such an integral pillar of the City’s Tourism Development Framework, through our continued funding of the Air Access programme, our objective remains to connect the Mother City with key destinations around the world.
“As part of this, I am in ongoing talks with the National Government to make provisions in the Immigration Act to allow for a Remote Working Visa for a period longer than three months,” he said.
Wesgro said the operational route means a direct increase of foreign spend into macro and micro enterprises, and, ultimately, the upliftment of the communities who rely heavily on this income.
“Air France operated five weekly flights to the mother city at the end of 2019, with two-way passengers between France and Cape Town constituting 106 000 passengers for 2019, making it the sixth largest passenger market and fourth largest European market. The market also grew at a healthy 11% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 2015 and 2019, putting it in the top five growth markets, before the onset of Covid-19.”
MEC for finance and economic opportunities David Maynier said said they were confident that the resumption of the direct route will be a catalyst for economic growth in the province, contributing to an increase in tourism revenue as well as renewed vigour in trade and investment relations between the Western Cape and France.
Cape Town Tourism Chief executive officer Enver Duminy said this development along with the news that the MyCiti bus will be resuming its route from Cape Town International Airport to the CBD was a step in the right direction.
“We anticipate a significant increase in arrivals over the next couple of weeks. Moreover, the timing of this decision was ideal, and we believe that it will have a positive impact on Cape Town’s tourism industry.”
Cape Times