Kenya Airways is among the airlines that have resumed regular flights between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa. Photo Credit: Nieuwland Photography/Shutterstock.com Dorine Reinstein Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and Kenya Airways have all resumed regular flights between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa. It is a great first step toward rebuilding traveler confidence, but a lot more still needs to be done, according to industry players.
On Aug. 2, Delta resumed its nonstop service between Atlanta and Johannesburg. The airline said it has been pleased with the route’s performance.
"The flight is booking well, which is indicative of the pent-up demand for travel to South Africa," Jimmy Eichelgruen, Delta’s director of sales for Africa, the Middle East and India, said. "We are eagerly awaiting the U.S. to reopen to leisure and other nonessential travel from South Africa, which will fuel further demand."
Related: Delta and Kenya Airways expand codesharing
United Airlines launched direct flights between New York and Johannesburg in June. A spokesperson for the airline told Travel Weekly that the airline is pleased with the uptake and intends to also resume its seasonal nonstop Cape Town-New York/Newark service shortly. Meanwhile, Kenya Airways increased its flights to the U.S. to three times a week following a healthy increase in demand.
"It is very encouraging to see airline uplift increase from the U.S., which will bode well for increased travel to Africa," said Lucille Sive, CEO of The Travel Corporation’s Africa Division.
Related: Air Senegal will fly to New York and Baltimore/Washington areas
Sive said the introduction of a direct flight to Kenya in the past few months translated in increased demand. "East Africa is trending, especially Kenya and Tanzania. Kenya has always been considered the ‘safari destination,’" she said.
According to Sive, we will see a similar trend for South Africa and Botswana, with increased bookings next year. "South Africa has always been a perennial favorite for U.S. travelers and will continue to be so because of the wide range of activities that will check off any bucket list," she said.
Others, however, said that the direct flights haven’t necessarily increased demand, but they have instilled a sense of confidence for travelers.
"The flights reassure clients already thinking of taking a safari, by providing further protection from Covid infection with no international connecting flights," said Jim Holden, of Holden Safaris.
Raza Visram, of AfricanMecca Safaris, said he has seen travelers reduce their booking […]