From having no footprint in Africa in 2019, United Airlines says it is excited about what it has since achieved with its biggest investment on the continent, namely in South Africa.
The airline is the biggest in the world by fleet size, destination network and capacity, and plays a significant role in supporting economic activity between the US and South Africa as it is currently the only airline offering direct flights between Johannesburg and New York/Newark and between Cape Town and New York/Newark and Cape Town and Washington DC.
Where it does not have a presence on the continent, it uses joint ventures, including ones with Lufthansa and Airlink.
“Having a footprint in Africa is not only a tick-box exercise for us. We want to service the market and build a bridge between African cities and the US,” Amit Badiani, United’s head of Africa and offline Europe sales, told Business Day during his visit to South Africa to celebrate the airline’s five-year anniversary of its Johannesburg route launched during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Since then, the airline has carried more than 650,000 passengers and more than 8,400 tonnes of cargo on the route. Since the launch of its Cape Town routes, also in 2019, United has carried more than 570,000 passengers and 2,800 tonnes of cargo on the routes. About 80% of bookings for its South African routes are made in the US, about 15% in South Africa and the rest from elsewhere in the world.
“South Africa is clearly a bucket list item for many Americans. The country sits at the intersection of business and leisure, with Johannesburg a business hub in Africa and the gateway to going on safari, and Cape Town, apart from having a corporate component, also offering access to regions such as the winelands. South Africa has the diversity travellers need,” said Badiani.
Asked about the impact of geopolitical conflicts, especially on fuel prices, Badiani said safety remains United’s priority. It continuously monitors and adjusts routes, consults with stakeholders and pivots quickly where needed. For example, it has been proactive in ensuring sufficient fuel provisions in South Africa so far.
Offering a consistent product is one of the pillars of United’s offering, according to Badiani. It includes a recent ramp-up of its Polaris business class, an abundance of premium seats, and super-fast Starlink WiFi on board, which is free to its MileagePlus frequent flyer members. Another example of its state-of-the-art use of technology is the United app, which allows passengers to list on standby for an earlier flight for free.
Business Day
