World Routes Summit brings in new Durban direct flights
Durban is once again in the world's spotlight as we host the World Routes Summit, a first on African soil at the ICC.
DURBAN'S once again put South Africa on the map by hosting the World Routes Summit for the first time on African soil.
MEC for Economic Development Tourism and Environmental Affairs in KZN, Michael Mabuyakhulu and the Mayor of eThekwini James Nxumalo extend a warm welcome to the delegates on Friday. “We wish to encourage each and every one of you to use this invaluable time to network with industry peers and leaders; explore what Durban has on offer as a premium tourist destination; see, taste, feel, hear and smell…and take with you knowledge and fond memories that will hopefully draw your heart back to Durban, its people and the vast rich culture it imparts in those who are open to endless possibilities,” Mabuyakhulu said.
The province, together with the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) has invested heavily in the establishment of King Shaka International Airport and Dube TradePort. This development has created a unique opportunity to increase international air arrivals, as it is a gateway unique to the African continent. Dube TradePort facilitates the export, import and transshipment of products, and the continued investment by government will allow the positioning of KZN and South Africa to participate in export-driven activities and international trade.
On the back of this, The World Routes Development Summit, as the largest and most premier aviation and tourism event and the Routes portfolio has attracted more than 3000 delegates from over 110 countries to Durban.
The Summit has brought the most senior representatives from airlines, airports and tourism authorities who wish to meet, discuss and plan new and existing global flight routes.
“We are pleased that World Routes Durban 2015 has featured good news for our province, the city, the country and, indeed, the region as one of the fastest-growing brands in the aviation business,” Mabuyakhulu said. “We are, of course, alluding to the news that Qatar Airways will be introducing a new flight service between Doha and our state-of-the-art King Shaka International Airport. This move is in line with our ambitious plans of developing an aviation inspired conurbation, the Durban aerotropolis, as a catalyst towards the stimulation of growth to unleash considerable business and employment opportunities for our people.”
Earlier this year, Qatar Airways confirmed that it will be initiating a new international route between Durban and Doha, and the official launch date of this particular flight has been set for the 17 December 2015. The new flight will operate four times per week with a new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft via Johannesburg. The new international service will connect Durban to more than 151 destinations across the globe via Qatar Airways’ Doha Hub.
Mabuyakhulu welcomed Qatar Airways’ expansion plans in South Africa by further concluding, “The international profile of Qatar Airways speaks for itself and will, therefore, create an avenue for our city and province to connect to more than 151 destinations in all six continents which guarantees an upsurge in the tourist, business and general passenger numbers to grace King Shaka International Airport. . Our partnership with Qatar Airways will therefore add value to our campaign of building sustainable air connectivity from King Shaka International Airport to the rest of the trading world, which would ensure that KwaZulu-Natal becomes a key regional aviation hub.”
At a media briefing organised during the World Routes Development Summit, Qatar Airways’ Country Manager for South Africa, Jonathan Minnett, made a speech about the airline’s impending launch of services to Durban.
Qatar Airways’ vice president for Africa, Jared Lee, also commented on the airline’s participation at the event saying,”Our participation in this forum has particular significance as we are launching our award-winning services to Durban this year and further growing our footprint in South Africa by increasing our Cape Town flights to a daily service from 1 October, as well as increasing Johannesburg to a double daily service from 17 December.”
