Durban-Lusaka flights launch into air
A direct air link has been launched between Durban and the Zambian capital, Lusaka.
TRADE relations between KwaZulu-Natal and Zambia, the province’s most significant trading partner in Africa, are set for an injection of growth as a result of the establishment of a direct air link between Durban and the Zambian capital, Lusaka.
Speaking at a function in Lusaka, to mark the official launch of new direct air route, Michael Mabuyakhulu, MEC for Economic Development and Tourism, said: “We recognise that in spite of the previous absence of direct flights between Lusaka and Durban, Zambia is, in fact, KwaZulu-Natal’s largest trading partner in Africa.
“Exports from our province to Zambia in 2012 were valued at R2.47-billion and represented a pleasing 14,8 per cent of KwaZulu-Natal’s total exports into Africa.”
Some 30 per cent of all South African imports from the African continent were sourced in Zambia last year.
“We have a well-established trade platform between us, but with a regular and frequent direct air link in place, the potential to increase and enhance relations and trade activities are infinite,” he added.
The reciprocal, give-and-take potential of tourist travel to the business mix, would provide an additional ‘heady blend’ of economic activity, which would benefit both Zambia and KwaZulu-Natal.
The four-times-a-week SA Express air route, using a 50-seater CRJ 200 jet aircraft, between Durban and Lusaka became commercially operational in July last year and has enjoyed steady support, but is not yet running at full capacity.
Dube TradePort Corporation and SA Express signed an agreement in 2012 resulting in the airline using King Shaka International Airport as its launch-pad into countries comprising the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The move was designed to unlock key markets for the benefit of KwaZulu-Natal in targeted countries during the next two to three years, through the vigorous promotion of business and leisure travel, as well as trade and investment activities.
Mabuyakhulu said the official launch function had provided the opportunity for role-players and decision-makers to come together, enabling still greater engagement with one another from an investment, business and leisure perspective.
He led an appeal to business and tourism decision-makers in both KwaZulu-Natal and Zambia to give serious consideration as to how best to utilise SA Express flights between Lusaka and Durban to their own and their business advantage.
In an attempt to further cement business relations between KwaZulu-Natal and Zambia, the celebratory launch function was also used to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Lusaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Mabuyakhulu said: “The intention is to facilitate increased trade and business activity between members of these respective bodies, as well as other stakeholders. Co-operation between the two chambers will also foster mutual understanding and awareness of available business opportunities in Lusaka and Durban.”
