British Airways introduces direct flights between London and Durban

British Airways will begin flying a three times weekly schedule direct from London Heathrow’s Terminal 5 to King Shaka International Airport, starting on 29 October.

They will be following closely on the heels of airlines such as Qatar Airways, Emirates, Air Mauritius and Turkish Airlines, who offer direct flights to Doha, Dubai, Mauritius, and Istanbul.

The service will be the only non-stop link between Europe and Durban and will be operated by the airline’s newest aircraft, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.

The aircraft will arrive at King Shaka International in the morning and land back at Heathrow in the evening.

Return fares from Durban will start from R11 679.

Sue Petrie, British Airways commercial manager in Southern Africa, says the direct flights should help grow international tourism to KZN and provide a more convenient alternative for the province’s business travellers and holidaymakers wanting to get to the UK and Europe.

Sihle Zikalala, MEC for the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs in KZN, said, “We are proud to be able to showcase the city of Durban to the world through this new British Airways direct flight, the sheer diversity in travel and business opportunities that visitors can access through this gateway into the province of KZN will unlock enormous potential.

Also read: Air Seychelles begins flights to Durban

“Great Britain and KZN share a very rich history, and we are excited to be able to rekindle that relationship with the launch of this new route.

“The investment and trade opportunities presented by this direct flight between Durban and London will undoubtedly add value to our economy.”

British Airways also flies twice-daily service from Heathrow to Johannesburg and daily to Cape Town year-round.

The announcement was warmly welcomed by eThekwini mayor, Cllr Zandile Gumede, who said it underpinned the council’s strategy to attract visitors and investors from the UK and European market to Durban.

“This flight will create an enabling environment for our city to do business with our European partners with ease,” Gumede said.

About 90 000 passengers currently fly indirectly between Durban and London via Johannesburg or other hubs like Dubai.

King Shaka International Airport is located in a precinct which is experiencing rapid growth due to the business opportunities created through Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone.

Direct flights also offer locals more choice and the opportunity to connect to cities and countries around the world.

Alex Cruz, British Airways’ Chairman and CEO, said Durban’s warm water, hot summers and laid-back beachy vibe make this coastal city the perfect holiday destination for the Brits.

“It is a gateway to many nature reserves, parks and historic sites, and has a thriving food, drink and art scene; defining the city as a must-visit for culture and adventure,” Cruz said.

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