British Airways will increase its Cape Town summer frequencies from 13 a week to double daily from October 31, according to the airline’s new area GM for Europe and Africa, Gavin Halliday.

He said this would increase BA’s existing summer capacity to Cape Town by almost 709 seats a week. The airline will switch from B777 services to B747-400 services on the route.  This means it will be the only carrier to offer a First Class product on the direct route between Cape Town and London. 

Asked if the airline would consider operating double daily services year-round to Cape Town, Halliday said this would depend on the success of the new service, which would be closely monitored.