The Machinists Union Calls on Biden Administration to Approve New United Route to Cape Town, South Africa
iMail
23 May 2022
United Airlines is asking the Biden Administration to approve a new route from Washington, Dulles International, to Cape Town South Africa.

International President Robert Martinez, Jr. sent a letter to United States Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to champion United Airlines’ application for international flights to Cape Town, South Africa, from Dulles International near Washington D.C.
“United’s proposal for consistent and reliable flights between the two destinations will greatly benefit the Washington, DC metro region and beyond,” stated Martinez. “In addition, this approval would strengthen the work our members do at Dulles and elsewhere.”
The proposed tri-weekly 14.5-hour flights will provide the vital union jobs the Biden administration has promised to protect. In addition, many hard-working IAM members will service this route which aims to tie government, business, and cultural ties that current competing airlines cannot match.
“Being United Airlines’ longest direct flight destination is historic,” said Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richard Johnsen. “The IAM will continue to advocate for this approval from the Department of Transportation, which supports solid union jobs for our members.”
Learn More: Why Must a U.S. Airline require approval from the DOT for International Flights?
Related News
Mary Sansom Has Receipts: A union activist who has recorded and made history
"Shut 'Em Down!"Mary Sansom has fought for airline workers for decades, taking on managers, politicians, and even retirement on the way.Sister Mary Sansom was initiated into Local 1833 of the Machinists Union in 1973 when she began working in the flight kitchen at...
LAST CALL FOR THE CENSUS: Stand Up and Be Counted
The US Census Bureau announced this week it will end all operations to gather data for the 2020 Census at 11:59 PM Hawaii Standard Time on Thursday, October 15, after the Supreme Court agreed to suspend an order from a lower court that extended the timeline for the...
“Vote Early, Stay Safe” Pennsylvania Machinists Get Out the Vote on the Streets of Philadelphia
A small army of Fighting Machinists took to the streets of Philadelphia this week to encourage union members to get out and vote.In-person early voting is underway in Pennsylvania, and members of IAM Air Transport Local 1776 left voting information on the doors of...