{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-petitions-airlines-to-consider-additional-routes-to-africa/", "Warnock Petitions Airlines to Consider Additional Routes to Africa", "2025-12-19", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "GA", "Raphael G. Warnock", "W000790", "www.warnock.senate.gov", "warnock", "https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "scraper", "Senator Reverend Warnock sent letters to Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, and United Airlines asking them to consider opportunities to expand commercial flight service between the United States and the African continent\n\nHome to more than 1.5 billion people, Africa is projected to account for one-quarter of the world\u2019s population by 2050\n\nAfrica represents a long-term opportunity for sustained economic partnership, innovation, and investment\n\nSenator Reverend Warnock: \u201cWith each new connection, we strengthen the bonds between nations and open new gateways to opportunity\u201d\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) issued letters to Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, and United Airlines asking the carriers to consider opportunities to expand commercial flight service between the United States and the African continent in the coming years. Home to more than 1.5 billion people, Africa is projected to account for one-quarter of the world\u2019s population by 2050.\n\n\u201cAs one of the world\u2019s fastest growing regions, Africa presents an extraordinary opportunity for U.S. carriers to shape the future of global commerce, deepen U.S. partnerships with African nations, and connect communities on both sides of the Atlantic,\u201d the Senator writes.\n\n\u201cAfrica is home to more than 1.5 billion people and is one of the most dynamic and consequential regions in the global economy. By 2050, the continent will account for one-quarter of the world\u2019s population and a significant share of global workforce growth\u2026In 2024 alone, total U.S. goods trade with Africa reached an estimated $71.6 billion. Africa represents a long-term opportunity for sustained economic partnership, innovation, and investment,\u201d the Senator continues.\n\n\u201cAs you evaluate your international strategy, I encourage you to consider opportunities for growth in African markets. I remain committed to supporting efforts that deep U.S.-Africa engagement, deepen commercial and cultural ties, and advance our shared economic future,\u201d concludes the Senator.\n\nThe letter to Delta Air Lines can be viewed HERE and is below.\n\nDear Mr. Bastian,\n\nI write to encourage Delta Air Lines to continue exploring opportunities to expand commercial flight service between the United States and the African continent. As one of the world\u2019s fastest growing regions, Africa presents an extraordinary opportunity for U.S. carriers to shape the future of global commerce, deepen U.S. partnerships with African nations, and connect communities on both sides of the Atlantic.\n\nAfrica is home to more than 1.5 billion people and is one of the most dynamic and consequential regions in the global economy. By 2050, the continent will account for one-quarter of the world\u2019s population and a significant share of global workforce growth. Africa already boasts 11 of the world\u2019s 20 fastest-growing economies, a rapidly expanding middle class, and an increasing demand for travel, trade, and commercial connectivity with the United States. In 2024 alone, total U.S. goods trade with Africa reached an estimated $71.6 billion. Africa represents a long-term opportunity for sustained economic partnership, innovation, and investment.\n\nDespite this promise, U.S. travelers and business leaders still face limited direct connectivity to the continent. That is now beginning to change, and I am encouraged by Delta Air Lines pioneering new nonstop routes and driving new economic activity between the United States and the African continent. In 2022, I successfully urged the Department of Transportation to approve Delta Air Lines\u2019 application for nonstop service between Atlanta and Cape Town, South Africa \u2014 a route that now generates up to $150 million annually in local economic activity while deepening our nation\u2019s relationship with a key regional partner. It has also proven the commercial viability of long-haul U.S.-Africa service.\n\nLast year alone, Delta Air Lines carried more than half a million passengers between the U.S. and Africa, reflecting the strength of this market. Independent analyses confirm that passenger demand on many African routes is expanding at double-digit rates year-over-year. As United Airlines and Delta Air Lines expand service to destinations such as Dakar, Senegal, and Accra, Ghana, these investments both meet rising consumer demand and underscore the profitability and competitiveness of U.S.-Africa connectivity.\n\nWith each new connection, we strengthen the bonds between nations and open new gateways to opportunity. These flights reduce travel time and complexity, meet rising consumer demand, and create meaningful economic value for travelers and businesses. Improved air connectivity also advances U.S. national and economic security by positioning American carriers to compete in a region where People\u2019s Republic of China is rapidly expanding its economic and strategic footprint. Our private sector will play a vital role in ensuring the United States\u2014not Beijing and its state-backed competitors\u2014anchors the continent\u2019s aviation and trade networks and sets the standard for transparent, mutually beneficial engagement. In doing so, we can create jobs at home, foster diaspora and cultural exchange, and help forge deeper bilateral ties with emerging African partners.\n\nAs you evaluate your international strategy, I encourage you to consider opportunities for growth in African markets. I remain committed to supporting efforts that deepen U.S.-Africa engagement, deepen commercial and cultural ties, and advance our shared economic future. My office and I stand ready to collaborate with you and other stakeholders as you explore new routes and partnerships on the African continent.\n\nThank you for your continued leadership in connecting Americans to the world. I look forward to seeing how Delta Air Lines helps shape the next chapter of the U.S.-Africa relationship.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warnock-petitions-airlines-to-consider-additional-routes-to-africa/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.195607939735055, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}