Within a week, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have applied for flexibility on their routes to Johannesburg and Cape Town to address shifting seasonal demand.

On February 14, Delta filed an application with the US Department of Transport (DOT) to use two of its seven Atlanta-Johannesburg frequencies to increase its Atlanta-Cape Town flights from three to five weekly between October 26 this year and March 28 next year.

United follows suit

Just seven days later, on February 21, United told the US DOT it would not object to Delta’s request as long as it could enjoy similar flexibility.

United applied to reallocate one of its seven-weekly Newark-Johannesburg flights to its Newark-Cape Town route on a year-round basis and as demand warrants. This means, during peak demand season, it would operate six weekly Newark-Johannesburg flights and four weekly Newark-Cape Town flights.

United emphasised that the request does not involve any changes to its flights between Washington Dulles International Airport and Cape Town.

“United’s request for year-round flexibility for one weekly frequency is comparable to Delta’s request for flexibility for two weekly frequencies for peak season,” the airline said in its application.

Additionally, United asked the US DOT for permission to operate its seven weekly frequencies to South Africa on a Newark-Johannesburg-Cape Town-Newark route.

United requested flexibility to operate the circular route year-round, stating that the US DOT has previously allowed Delta the flexibility to operate flights from Atlanta to Cape Town via Johannesburg.

If the US DOT approves United’s application to adjust its South African flights, the airline will fly the reallocated frequency from Newark to Cape Town on Tuesdays and operate the return flight on Wednesdays, according to the airline’s application.

Seasonal demand

Shifting seasonal demand for Johannesburg and Cape Town flights is cited by both airlines as the reason for requesting additional flexibility on these routes.

The industry has welcomed the requests, noting robust growth in US arrivals since the commencement of direct flights, and pointed out that additional frequencies are needed on the routes.

David King, Project Manager for Cape Town Air Access, says: “The request to shift flights by United Airlines and Delta Air Lines to enhance operational efficiencies and meet demand is necessary due to the current bilateral air service agreement restriction on the frequency allowance between the two countries.

“Cape Town Air Access, powered by Wesgro, would welcome an increase in the capacity allocation, thereby allowing US airlines to add more frequencies to South Africa.”

If the US DOT is willing to grant the applications, it will confer with the South African Department of Transport about the countries’ bilateral agreements.