Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines has applied to the US Department of Transport to operate nonstop flights to Cape Town later this year. Delta wants to fly between Atlanta and Cape Town from mid-November to supplement its existing Atlanta – Johannesburg flights. Delta also continues to fight for the option to fly an Atlanta – Cape Town – Johannesburg – Atlanta routing.
Delta proposes an Airbus A350-900 flight to Cape Town
According to the filing, Delta wants to fly its 306 seat Airbus A350-900 aircraft on a nonstop basis between Atlanta (ATL) and Cape Town (CPT). The airline is eyeing a start date of November 18, 2022, depending on the travel restrictions imposed by either country due to COVID-19.
US authorities already allow Delta Air Lines to fly scheduled services between Atlanta and the coterminal points of Johannesburg and Cape Town. The airline wants this exemption authority changed to allow for the nonstop Atlanta-Cape Town service.
According to the filing, Delta’s proposed flights between Atlanta and Cape Town will depart Delta’s Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport hub three times a week at 20:45 and arrive at Cape Town at 18:45 before returning at 21:00 for arrival into Atlanta at 06:25. Delta wants to operate a year-round service with seasonal flexibility to tailor capacity to demand during off-peak periods.
“Delta has submitted an application to the US Department of Transportation for three times weekly service between Atlanta and Cape Town,” the airline said in a statement. “As always, we seek to build our flight schedules and network around where our customers want to fly. We hope to receive approval to operate nonstop Delta service on this important route.”
Source: gcmap.com
Delta continues to fight to fly to Johannesburg via Cape Town
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