Starting November 2018, Cathay Pacific will launch seasonal non-stop service to Cape Town, South Africa (CPT) from Hong Kong. The new flight will be flown by Cathay Pacific’s new Airbus A350-1000 three times a week, and will be the first non-stop flight between Cape Town and Asia in over six years.
This service will complement Cathay Pacific’s non-stop Johannesburg service, which has already been flown on a daily basis.
The new route will further bring tourism and investment from Asia to South Africa. Cathay Pacific CEO Rupert Hogg said growing the airline’s reach to destinations that are not otherwise served from Hong Kong creates considerable new opportunities for business, trade and tourism, in addition to strengthening its home hub.
At the present moment, few Asian airlines fly to South Africa. Besides Cathay Pacific, only Singapore Airlines and Air China fly non-stop between the two regions. Flag carrier, South African Airways, also flies non-stop between Johannesburg and Hong Kong.
Despite China’s “one route, one Chinese airline” policy, it appears that only Air China has taken advantage in this arena, flying to Johannesburg from Beijing.
Although Cape Town is now serviced by two airlines flying to Asia, Cathay Pacific is the first to fly non-stop. The Singapore Airlines service makes a stop in Johannesburg before continuing on to Cape Town. Singapore Airlines also uses its A350 on this service.
Cathay Pacific’s A350 features business class, premium economy, and economy cabins. The Cape Town route will be Cathay Pacific’s second scheduled Airbus A350-1000 route, after Washington Dulles.
