A delighted Air Belgium celebrated its first new flights to South Africa yesterday, Wednesday 14 September 2022. The airline said: “Cheers to new flights to South Africa! Our #A330neo takes off from Brussels Airport to Johannesburg and Cape Town“
Simultaneous flights to Cape Town and Johannesburg are now available from Brussels Airport every Wednesday and Sunday, while return flights from South Africa to Belgium are on Mondays and Thursdays.
Air Belgium posted photos on Wednesday, saying: “We are honored to inaugurate this route with our dear passengers as well as a special delegation and H.E Tokizile Xasa, Ambassador of South Africa in Belgium – Visit South Africa”
The airline had announced its plans in April to operate seasonal flights to South Africa starting in September 2022.
Brussels has historically been Cape Town’s second largest unserved market and the largest unserved European market based on two-way international passenger volumes.
Belgium is the Western Cape’s 7th largest European export market, with R2.61-billion worth of goods exported in 2021, up 81.5% from 2020.
On its website, Air Belgium is promoting South Africa’s “steep coastline and majestic wildlife” offering a “variety of sceneries and experiences without changing countries! Plan your dream holiday in Cape Town or Johannesburg and enjoy the thrill of the ocean and lasting memories in the wilderness.”
The Airbus A330neo offers Business, Premium and Economy classes and includes the latest ecological, environmental and technological advantages.
In April, Western Cape Minister of Finance, David Maynier said: “Air Brussels focuses on leisure travel and shows that there is a clear uptick in demand for flights to Cape Town and the Western Cape, which is good for our economy and the creation of jobs in the Western Cape.”