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Johannesburg - British Airways estimates that some 40 000 rugby fans flew to and from South Africa over the six weeks of the British & Irish Lions’ tour.
The airline, which was the official carrier for the tour, experienced a 24% increase in passenger numbers compared to the same period last year.
Its Johannesburg services were booked to capacity, despite it having upped its double-daily schedule by five additional flights from June.
“While the Confederations Cup certainly contributed, there is no doubt that the Lions tour significantly bolstered visitor numbers during June and early July,” says Sue Botes, British Airways’ commercial manager for South Africa.
Passenger numbers on British Airways operated by Comair domestic flights also spiked before Lions’ matches and occupancy rates were unseasonably high at hotels in Durban, Johannesburg and Pretoria during the Tests.
British Airways, the official carriers of the 2009 British and Irish Lions - plus supporters - to South Africa. (File)
The airline, which was the official carrier for the tour, experienced a 24% increase in passenger numbers compared to the same period last year.
Its Johannesburg services were booked to capacity, despite it having upped its double-daily schedule by five additional flights from June.
“While the Confederations Cup certainly contributed, there is no doubt that the Lions tour significantly bolstered visitor numbers during June and early July,” says Sue Botes, British Airways’ commercial manager for South Africa.
Passenger numbers on British Airways operated by Comair domestic flights also spiked before Lions’ matches and occupancy rates were unseasonably high at hotels in Durban, Johannesburg and Pretoria during the Tests.
British Airways, the official carriers of the 2009 British and Irish Lions - plus supporters - to South Africa. (File)
