Virgin pullout worries Cape Town

Virgin Atlantic announced yesterday that it is ending its direct London-to-Cape Town flights, to change focus to key markets in the UK and US. Flights will end in April next year.

The introduction of a direct Cape Town-London route by Virgin two years ago was hailed as a milestone and Cape Town's executive director of tourism, Anton Grobbelaar, said Virgin's decision could have a negative impact on tourism to the city. Virgin will also pull out of Tokyo and Mumbai so it can maximise opportunities arising from its links with US company Delta Airlines.

Virgin said it would code share with South African Airways so passengers with tickets can also use them on SAA.