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A much-needed boost to foreign direct investment and tourism has been given the green light with a new direct flight between Cape Town and New York.

On Monday evening, Cape Town Air Access (CTAA) released a statement saying it welcomes the announcement by United Airlines that they intend launching a new non-stop route between the US and Cape Town, from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, New York.

If approved by the US Department of Transportation, United's service between New York/Newark and Cape Town will be operated with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft featuring 48 seats in United Polaris business class, 88 seats in United Economy Plus and 116 seats in United Economy.

This new flight will provide customers with the only nonstop service between the United States and Cape Town, shaving four hours off the usual transatlantic journey - linking the city to the important North American market. It is expected to add an estimated R283 million in direct tourism spending to the Cape economy in the first year, according to a Grant Thornton study.

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