TAP Air Portugal planning Lisbon-Cape Town route

TAP Air Portugal has announced plans for a new seasonal service between Lisbon and Cape Town this winter.

According to South Africa’s Wesgro, the official tourism, trade and investment promotion agency for Cape Town and Western Cape, the new route is set to operate three times weekly between November 11, 2020 and the end of March 2021.

Wesgro said Lisbon has seen notable growth in passenger traffic to South Africa over the last couple of years, up 25% in 2018 and 7% in 2019. The agency added that business class traffic has particularly benefitted, with passenger numbers up 86% in 2019.

Tim Harris, CEO, Wesgro, said: “We welcome this announcement by TAP Air Portugal, which brings with it a message of hope to airlines globally that we will travel again soon.”

Harris added that the significant increase noted in Business Class travel builds a strong business proposition for Cape Town and the Western Cape. “We look forward to strengthening our trade and investment ties with Portugal, facilitated through the direct air access,” he remarked.

TAP also offers great onward connectivity to Southern Europe, North Africa and South America – all regions currently unserved from CapeTown, Wesgro said in a statement. The agency pointed out that Brazil is one of the fastest growing markets for Cape Town, with a 78% increase in inbound traffic noted for 2019.

The current turmoil in the aviation industry means nothing can be taken as certainty, but Deon Cloete, general manager of Cape Town International Airport, said that the news could not have come at a better time.

“These past few weeks have been surreal,” said Cloete. “We’ve watched the world close down in an attempt limit the spread of this devastating virus to which sadly, none of us are immune. The announcement by TAP Airlines could not have come at a better time. It’s instilled some much needed hope into the aviation industry.

“Their commitment is a clear demonstration of confidence in our destination and travel. As the team at Cape Town International Airport, we will be sure to be ready for their inaugural flight later this year and we look forward to welcoming them to the City.”

Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management within the City of Cape Town, added: “Despite the current challenging times we face, I am excited to confirm a new direct flight between Cape Town and Lisbon.

Vos said connectivity forms part of the city’s strategy to connect Cape Town with key destinations in Africa and globally to stimulate and increase travel and trade, for the benefit of residents. “To increase connectivity and bring economic benefits to Cape Town, the city funds the Air Access initiative within Wesgro,” he said.