So it's true!
Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways said on Wednesday it will begin services to Cape Town from September 30, its second destination in South Africa, as the carrier seeks to benefit visitor growth related to the FIFA World Cup next year.
Etihad already has daily flights to Johannesburg, using a Airbus A330, and this service will now extend to Cape Town, which will be the airline’s fifth destination on the continent.
The other cities in the network are Khartoum, Cairo and Casablanca.
"Etihad Airways is committed to expanding its flight network across the world and we are delighted to add flights to Cape Town to our schedule from September. In the coming 12 months demand for flights to South Africa will grow immensely, especially with the 2010 FIFA World Cup next summer," said James Hogan, Etihad’s chief executive.
Etihad started flights to Johannesburg in Dec 2005.
Airlines expect significant travel growth between the UAE and South Africa with the rising number of South African expatriates in the region as well as tourists.
Dubai-based Emirates will add Durban to its existing Cape Town services from October. It has a code-sharing agreement with South African Airways, allowing the two airlines to sell seats on each others' routes.