United Airlines has officially dismissed recent claims regarding the expansion of its flight services to South Africa, clarifying its stance following comments made by South African Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille.
Clarification on Airline’s South African Operations
Contrary to Minister De Lille’s statement, which suggested that United Airlines would be adding new routes to South Africa, the airline has confirmed that it is not introducing new services to the country. Instead, United Airlines has indicated that it is merely making temporary adjustments to its existing flight schedule during the 2025/26 summer season. This clarification came after De Lille mentioned that United would be launching a new direct service from Washington Dulles to Cape Town, as well as expanding the current Johannesburg to New York/Newark route.
Current Routes and Schedule Adjustments
United Airlines has assured the public that its operations in South Africa remain unchanged. The airline’s Washington Dulles to Cape Town route has been in operation since November 2022, with three weekly flights. Additionally, the Johannesburg to Newark route has been offering daily non-stop services since 2021. United clarified that while it is indeed making adjustments, these changes are seasonal, with no new long-haul services or permanent route expansions taking place.
For the upcoming summer season, the Johannesburg to Newark flight will be reduced to six flights per week, while the Cape Town to Newark route will see an increase to four flights per week. United emphasized that these changes are temporary and are expected to return to their previous schedule at the end of the summer.
A Strong Tourist Flow from the United States
Despite the confusion surrounding the airline’s expansion plans, South Africa continues to see a strong influx of American tourists. In 2023, more than 430,000 visitors from the United States traveled to South Africa, marking a 37.4% increase from the previous year. Minister De Lille highlighted the significance of the US as a key market for South African tourism, reinforcing that efforts to promote travel from the US, the world’s largest economy, will continue.
VisaNet data further supports this growth, revealing that Cape Town and Johannesburg are among the top spending destinations for international travelers. Cape Town alone accounts for nearly half (46%) of international visitor spending in the country.
Diplomatic Tensions Amidst Travel Clarifications
The timing of United Airlines’ clarification also coincides with ongoing diplomatic tensions between the United States and South Africa. Tensions have been exacerbated by US President Donald Trump’s repeated criticisms of South Africa’s Expropriation Act, which he claims is being used to seize land from white farmers. The South African government has refuted these claims, stressing that land expropriation would only occur in rare and extreme cases.
In addition, there have been reports suggesting that Trump may choose to skip the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg due to concerns over what he has described as a “white genocide.” US lawmakers have also introduced two new bills targeting South Africa one calling for sanctions on the African National Congress (ANC) and government officials, while the other advocates for refugee protections for Afrikaner farmers.
United Airlines’ Commitment to South Africa
Despite the confusion regarding its service expansion, United Airlines remains committed to its operations in South Africa. With strong tourism flows between the US and South Africa, and an ongoing focus on supporting local economies through travel, the airline is dedicated to providing reliable and consistent service. For the time being, travelers should expect only minor adjustments to United’s South African routes, with no new, long-haul services introduced in the near future.
As diplomatic tensions simmer, the continued growth of tourism remains an essential part of strengthening ties between the two nations, underscoring the importance of open communication and clarity from both the airline and government officials.