BENGALURU– Cape Town officials are in discussions with Air India (AI) to establish direct flights connecting the South African city with Bengaluru (BLR) and other Indian metropolitan centers.
This initiative is aimed at strengthening the tourism, trade, and business partnerships between the two regions.
Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, Cape Town, with Karnataka IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge. Credit: Special arrangementphoto- Deccan Herald
Official Discussions
Currently, Air India (AI) operates direct flights between Mumbai (BOM) and Johannesburg (JNB), offering the only non-stop connection between India and South Africa.
South African Airways (SA) previously operated on this route but suspended services following pandemic-related financial challenges.
Emirates (EK), Ethiopian Airlines (ET), and Qatar Airways (QR) provide one-stop connections between the two countries with layovers in Dubai (DXB), Addis Ababa (ADD), and Doha (DOH) respectively.
Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, revealed during a closed-door press interaction on Tuesday, 18th March, that the delegation will meet with airline executives in Mumbai. The talks will focus on attracting new investors and tourists to Cape Town, with Mumbai and New Delhi also being considered for direct flight connections.
Tourism and business travel between India and South Africa has seen significant growth in recent years, with over 85,000 Indian tourists visiting South Africa in 2023. Industry experts note that additional direct connections could boost these numbers by 30-40% within two years, creating substantial economic benefits for both regions.
The delegation plans to meet with tour operators over the next two days to promote their Trusted Tour Operators’ Scheme in India. This program allows tourists to apply for visas through registered operators, streamlining the travel process.
Photo: Clément AlloingTechnology and Business Collaborations
On Monday, 17th March, the delegation met with Karnataka IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge to discuss potential collaborations in marine manufacturing, technology, business process outsourcing, financial services, and tourism. Kharge suggested including Cape Town as Bengaluru’s partner in the Global Innovation Programme.
The minister highlighted MoveInSync, a Bengaluru-based company whose office commute solutions are being implemented in Cape Town. The delegation also visited Global Capability Centres and tech parks in Bengaluru to identify business opportunities.
Water Crisis Management Expertise
The delegation shared strategies that helped Cape Town overcome its severe water crisis of 2017. These included replacing water pipelines, drilling aquifers, implementing desalination projects, and expanding wastewater treatment facilities.
The government also partnered with citizens to monitor water usage through a live dashboard that allowed public tracking of water levels in real time.
Photo: Clément AlloingStrategic Partnership Goals
The delegation identified India, particularly Bengaluru, as a strategic choice for tapping into the tech ecosystem and Global Capability Centres to adopt growth strategies for Cape Town.
“India’s dynamic BPO and tech industries complement Cape Town’s strengths, and by joining forces, we can unlock investment, create jobs, and enhance trade and tourism between our regions.”
-Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, Cape Town
He also noted that the delegation is exploring a Memorandum of Collaboration between the two governments.
Cape Town’s government is examining various cities for smart approaches to safety and mobility solutions. This includes investments in drone and CCTV surveillance, renewable energy generation, and an integrated transport system.
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