Cape Town Air Access has welcomed the start of services to the Mother City from the UK by Norwegian low-cost long-haul airline Norse Atlantic Airways (Norse). The service will be operated three times a week, from London Gatwick International Airport, throughout the UK winter, South African summer, season (that is, from now until the end of April next year). The airline will operate the route using its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.

“We are excited to officially launch our routes in Cape Town, a city that feels like home to us,” affirmed Norse founder and CEO Bjorn Torre Larsen. “Our commitment to making travel more affordable and comfortable aligns perfectly with our ambition to be the explorers’ airline, connecting not only the UK and South Africa but also strengthening ties with Norway. We believe Cape Town is a gem that more people should discover, and we are excited to play a part in making that happen.”

The UK is already Cape Town’s top international tourist market (with the US in second place, and Germany in third). In 2023, two-way visitor traffic between the UK and the Mother City rocketed 54%, year-on-year. In all, 360 000 passengers flew between the two destinations.

“Cape Town Air Access remains committed to expanding our network and building strategic partnerships that strengthen regional connectivity and drive economic growth,” assured Wesgro CEO and official Cape Town Air Access spokesperson Wrenelle Stander. “With the arrival of Norse Atlantic Airways’ direct flights to London Gatwick, Cape Town and the Western Cape look forward to welcoming an increasing number of visitors, reinforcing our status as a premier global destination.”

(Wesgro is the Western Cape’s trade, tourism, and investment promotion agency. Cape Town Air Access is a public-private partnership between Wesgro and other State and private-sector organisations.)

“Norse [Atlantic] Airlines is now a key player in our ambitious growth strategy, set to achieve a 5% GDP increase and a R1-trillion economy by 2023,” affirmed Western Cape Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism Minister Dr Ivan Meyer. “This new route supports our vision to triple tourism, boost trade, and attract investment in the Western Cape.”