Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has welcomed United Airlines’ decision to expand its services to South Africa, a move expected to strengthen travel ties and boost the country’s tourism sector.
United will increase flights on its two major U.S.-South Africa routes, including a new long-haul service between Washington Dulles and Cape Town, first launched in November 2022. The route, originally operating three times a week, has seen strong demand. Its Newark to Johannesburg route, in operation since June 2021, is also set for further expansion.
De Lille described the development as a significant win for the tourism industry, noting that direct air connections play a key role in making destinations more accessible and attractive to travelers.
Tourism arrivals from the United States have steadily grown since the introduction of these direct routes. In 2024, over 430,000 U.S. tourists visited South Africa—up 5.2% from the previous year. The year before that, arrivals jumped by 37.4%, with over 409,000 visitors recorded in 2023 compared to 298,000 in 2022.
