Virgin Atlantic Cargo back with Cape Town flights seeking perishables

VIRGIN Atlantic Cargo is recommencing over the winter season daily flights from Cape Town, South Africa to target exporters of general cargo and perishable goods destined for markets in the US and UK.

The airline's daily flights ex Cape Town have operated every winter since December 1999 and are in addition to its year-round daily passenger and cargo flights between Johannesburg and London Heathrow.

The service also offers exporters in South Africa fast connections in London to other prime export destinations in the United States, including New York, Chicago and Miami. Every Airbus A340-300 flight offers 17 tonnes of cargo capacity, a company statement said.

Nick Jones, head of sales, said: "Cape Town is a very strong route for us throughput the peak winter season. Currently, as in so many other markets, volumes are slightly down year-on-year but we are confident of another good performance both to and from Cape Town following the withdrawal of other airline capacity."