Similar flexibility
In a DOT filing, United Airlines said that it does not object to Delta Air Lines’ request for more flexibility regarding its flight network to South Africa on February 14 as long as the former airline can “enjoy similar flexibility.”
As such, United Airlines requested the DOT to grant it flexibility to use one frequency on the Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) to provide additional services from Newark to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) on a year-round basis.
The company argued that passenger demand resulted in making the request. In effect, this would mean that, during the peak demand season for flights to Cape Town, it would operate six weekly flights from Newark to Johannesburg and four weekly flights from Newark to Cape Town.
United Airlines highlighted that its request does not involve any changes to its flights between Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Cape Town.
Furthermore, it emphasized the fact that in no case would it exceed the use of seven weekly frequencies for direct Newark-Johannesburg or Newark-Johannesburg-Cape Town itineraries.
“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.”
Thorsten Lettnin, the Director of Sales for Europe, Africa, the Middle East, India, and Israel at United Airlines, previously told Simple Flying in May 2024 that there was “stable demand throughout the entire year, which shows us there are potentially further growth opportunities.”
Eighth freedom flights
Interestingly, United Airlines also requested the DOT to allow it to operate all seven weekly frequencies to South Africa on a route that would originate in Newark, land in Johannesburg, then Cape Town, and then return to New Jersey in case demand and operating conditions would dictate such a route.
The airline, which requested the flexibility to do so year-round, said that previously, the DOT granted Delta Air Lines the flexibility to operate its own eighth freedom flights from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Cape Town via Johannesburg.
Nevertheless, if the DOT approved United Airlines’ request to adjust its South African flights, it would fly the additional frequency from Newark to Cape Town on Tuesdays, operating the return itinerary to the United States on Wednesdays.
“Granting United the requested flexibility is in the public interest. United’s proposed [frequency changes] will allow it to enhance its service to Cape Town during peak seasons, create additional connecting opportunities at Cape Town, and allow United to better manage days when Johannesburg operating conditions (hot, dry air at high altitude) require held seats operating from Johannesburg to Newark.”
According to data from the aviation analytics company Cirium's Diio Mi airline planning tool, the last time that any US airline operated an eighth freedom flight within South Africa was in March 2023.
Between December 2022 and March 2023, Delta Air Lines operated a four-week itinerary from Atlanta to Cape Town via Johannesburg.
In February, United Airlines has scheduled three weekly flights and daily flights from Newark to Cape Town and Johannesburg, respectively.
Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines has an identical schedule from Atlanta to the two South African cities.
Seasonality peaks
When Delta Air Lines requested additional flexibility regarding its flights to South Africa on February 14, it also argued that a favorable decision from the DOT would be in the public interest.
“Delta’s proposed service will allow Delta to enhance its service to Cape Town in the highest-demand months, directly benefiting customers.”
Similarly to United Airlines, Delta Air Lines noted that if the DOT were to allow the airline to shift its two frequencies from Atlanta-Johannesburg to Atlanta-Cape Town services, it would not exceed the number of awarded frequencies between the US and South Africa.
