Durban to get more direct flights

SA Express already has a direct route from Durban to Lusaka in Zambia, which has been operating since July last year.

SA Express already has a direct route from Durban to Lusaka in Zambia, which has been operating since July last year.

Published Jul 1, 2013

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Durban - KwaZulu-Natal could become the country’s alternative primary gateway, based on the growing success of the direct travel flight routes between Durban and Harare.

Other direct routes into southern African countries, from Durban’s King Shaka International Airport, could unlock tourism and business markets that lie a few hours’ flight away.

This is according to the provincial government and tourism bosses at the official launch of SA Express Direct Route and the introduction of a specially branded aircraft on Friday.

“Our intention is to foster warm relations amongst key role-players and drivers of, particularly, trade and tourism in the marketplaces of both South Africa and Zimbabwe… and unlocking the potential of this African market as we work to create new investment, business and tourism opportunities and partnerships between us,” said Economic Development and Tourism MEC Michael Mabuyakhulu.

The route was introduced in November last year, and return flights were already achieving 72 percent capacity, said Mabuyakhulu.

SA Express already has a direct route from Durban to Lusaka in Zambia, which has been operating since July last year.

The airline is based at the Dube Tradeport, and is using KZN as a “launch pad” into southern African countries.

Over the next three years the airline, together with Dube Tradeport, aims to unlock key markets in those countries through the vigorous promotion of business, leisure travel, trade and investment activities.

Saxen van Coller, Dube TradePort Corporation’s chief executive officer, said: “We are working to significantly increase direct regional and international air services to and from Durban in an effort to transform this region into South Africa’s primary alternative gateway.

“We have developed a five-year strategy designed to identify and attract a growing number of carriers to utilise Durban’s King Shaka International Airport”.

Durban’s location makes it ideal for international travel that is only a few hours away.

Tourism KZN chief executive Ndabo Khoza, said: “Based on global travel trends, some 80 percent of inbound travellers emanate from regions within a four-hour flying radius and we have accordingly identified a need to actively address access to and by markets in the important SADC countries around South Africa.

“We recognise that KZN has a unique offering for the benefit of such markets. We intend to sell the beach experience, creating a platform for the benefit of new African tourists to Durban and KZN.” - Independent on Saturday

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