Delta Air Lines' long-awaited route from Atlanta to Johannesburg and Cape Town will debut later this year. according to the airline.
The announcement comes after what the South African press has called a "regulatory stalemate."
"Delta is grateful to the South African Government Department of Transport for approving its application to operate its triangular route from Atlanta-Johannesburg-Cape Town-Atlanta," said Jimmy Eichelgruen, Delta's sales director for Africa, the Middle East and India. We look forward to extending our routing service later this year, offering more choice of travel between South Africa and the U.S."
Meanwhile, Western Cape minister David Maynier said: "We regard the approval of Delta Air Lines' application to fly a triangular route between Atlanta, Johannesburg and Cape Town as a big win, and we will continue to work hard to expand 'air access' because more flights means more tourists and more tourists means more jobs in the Western Cape. We remain committed to increasing investment, expanding trade and scaling up tourism with the United States, and so we look forward to finally welcoming Delta Air Lines to the Western Cape."
Delta has been flying nonstop to Johannesburg from the U.S. for years. This new route marks the carrier's first service to Capetown.
Update: This report was updated on April 26 to clarify that this route marks Delta's first service to Capetown.