FlySafair will launch two new flights from Durban on November 27. The first route will be from Durban to Port Elizabeth, and the second from Durban to East London. The new routes are expected to promote positive economic development of the cities involved.
The GM of King Shaka International Airport, Terence Delomoney, said any new route to an airport stimulates travel, trade and tourism. He said while there were already existing frequencies between Durban and PE, and Durban and East London, it is important for cities to create as much connectivity as possible.
Hamish Erskine, CEO of Dube TradePort, said Durban recognised the importance of a strong, competitive, well-priced network. He believes that new routes, such as those soon to be launched by FlySafair, have a positive impact on the city across a number of different levels.
The ability to offer onwards connections to cities like Port Elizabeth and East London is particularly important for Durban’s proposition as an inbound tourism destination, Erskine said.
Counsellor Andrew Whitfield, a member of the Mayoral Committee responsible for Economic Development, Tourism and Agriculture within the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, said additional flights play an important part in Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism’s efforts to promote the destination.
Whitfield believes that PE is also ready to showcase the best that it has to offer from a business tourism perspective, including some of the best hotels in the country.