Cape Town Air Access, powered by Wesgro excitedly welcomed Norse Atlantic Airways’ inaugural direct flight connecting Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to London Gatwick Airport (LGW) on Tuesday. Norse Atlantis’ will operate three flights per week on this route, until the end of April 2025, significantly enhancing connectivity between Cape Town and the United Kingdom.
This strategic partnership marks a milestone in Cape Town’s efforts to bolster its global connectivity, particularly with one the region’s source markets for international passengers. The addition of Norse Atlantic Airways’ direct flights will increase the weekly international flights between Cape Town and the United Kingdom to 31 flights during the upcoming International Air Transport Association (IATA) Winter season for 2024/25, which coincides with the South African Summer Season. This not only offers travellers greater convenience but also boosts the region’s economic growth, helping create jobs in the tourism industry.
The United Kingdom holds a significant position as Cape Town’s top market for international passenger traffic, followed by the United States and Germany. In 2023, the market witnessed an impressive 54% growth in two-way passenger traffic compared to 2022, with more than 360 000 passengers flying between the two destinations.
Enhanced connectivity will enable increase traveller options between London and Cape Town, especially for price-sensitive South African passengers. Traffic between LGW and CPT reached over 43 000 two-way passengers in 2023, underlining the strong demand for connectivity between these two world-class airport destinations. The introduction of Norse Atlantic Airways’ direct flights is expected to further stimulate tourism, facilitating seamless connections for both business and leisure travellers.
Commenting on this auspicious occasion, Wrenelle Stander, Wesgro CEO and Official Spokesperson for Cape Town Air Access said: ‘‘Cape Town Air Access remains committed to expanding our network and building strategic partnerships that strengthen regional connectivity and drive economic growth. With the arrival of Norse Atlantic Airways’ direct flights to London Gatwick, Cape Town and the Western Cape look forward to welcoming an increasing number of visitors, reinforcing our status as a premier global destination.’’
‘‘We are thrilled to welcome Norse Airlines to Cape Town, strengthening our city’s links with the UK and Europe and creating new economic opportunities,” said Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth. ‘‘This partnership aligns perfectly with the City’s five-point plan to boost our visitor economy by increasing flights, cruise arrivals, and events to benefit our communities. With each flight, tourism not only brings visitors but also sustains jobs and drives economic value – for example, today’s 344 passengers represent an estimated R2.1 million in tourism spending per 100 travellers,” he further added.
Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development, and Tourism Dr Ivan Meyer said: “This partnership is a testament to the power of economic diplomacy and the dedicated work behind the scenes from Cape Town Air Access, the City of Cape Town, and our Norwegian partners. Norse Airlines is now a key player in our ambitious growth strategy, set to achieve a 5% GDP increase and a R1 trillion economy by 2035. This new route supports our vision to triple tourism, boost trade, and attract investment in the Western Cape. ”
Also commenting on Norse Atlantic’s arrival, Mark Maclean, Regional General Manager of Airports Company South Africa, Cape Town International Airport said: ‘‘After 18 years at the airport, every new route still feels incredibly special, and today’s launch with Norse is no exception. This launch highlights the power of partnerships which has been pivotal in growing our international routes. Cape Town’s international travel has fully recovered and is up by 16,6% over pre-COVID levels, a testament to the demand and appeal of this city. We look forward to continued collaboration with Norse to make this route a year-round success.”
Bjorn Tore Larsen, CEO and Founder of Norse Atlantic Airways, said: ‘‘We are excited to officially launch our routes in Cape Town, a city that feels like home to us. Our commitment to making travel more affordable and comfortable aligns perfectly with our ambition to be the explorers’ airline, connecting not only the UK and South Africa but also strengthening ties with Norway. We believe Cape Town is a gem that more people should discover, and we are excited to play a part in making that happen.”
