SAA announces direct, non-stop service linking Cape Town to São Paulo, Brazil
SAA announces direct, non-stop service linking Cape Town to São Paulo, Brazil. Photo: iStockPhoto

Home » SAA announces direct, non-stop service linking Cape Town to São Paulo, Brazil

SAA announces direct, non-stop service linking Cape Town to São Paulo, Brazil

The Western Cape will finally have a direct connection to South America, with South African Airways (SAA) announcing a direct, non-stop flight connecting Cape Town International Airport with São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) in São Paulo, Brazil. Sao Paulo was identified as the biggest unserved market with the fastest growth for Cape Town and the […]

By Jenni Baxter
30-06-23 10:15
in Business
SAA announces direct, non-stop service linking Cape Town to São Paulo, Brazil
SAA announces direct, non-stop service linking Cape Town to São Paulo, Brazil. Photo: iStockPhoto

The Western Cape will finally have a direct connection to South America, with South African Airways (SAA) announcing a direct, non-stop flight connecting Cape Town International Airport with São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) in São Paulo, Brazil.

Sao 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 introduction of this new route marks a momentous occasion as the airline returns to Cape Town with its inaugural intercontinental flight after an 11-year hiatus. 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. B

The new direct route is expected to act as a catalyst for exponential growth in tourism and business opportunities. With a direct flight time of up to eight hours, this route’s implementation will significantly reduce current travel duration by over fifty per cent, providing an efficient travel option for passengers.

Official spokesperson for the Cape Town Air Access initiative, Wrenelle Stander, says:

“The direct connection has been a work in progress for the Cape Town Air Access team for five years now, we are thrilled to see our efforts finally come to fruition. 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. While current air cargo volumes between the two destinations remain low, the introduction of the direct route is anticipated to lead to a substantial increase in cargo volumes as it facilitates more efficient and streamlined transportation of goods between the two cities, paving the way for increased overall trade volumes and economic growth.

Western Cape Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger, said:

“We are absolutely delighted that a new direct flight service between Cape Town and São Paulo has been launched. 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.”