LISTEN: Travel made easier with direct Durban to London flights
Africa's Travel Indaba has kicked off with a big announcement in Durban. British Airways will now operate a new direct flight between King Shaka International Airport and London Heathrow.
MEC for Economic Development in KZN, Sihle Zikalala has been speaking at a breakfast at the Hilton Hotel this morning.
He is hopeful the development will improve relations between the province and UK.
British Airways will begin flying three times weekly direct from Heathrow's Terminal 5 to King Shaka, starting from the 29th of October.
The aircraft will arrive in Durban in the morning and land back at Heathrow in the evening.
The aircraft will arrive in Durban in the morning and land back at Heathrow in the evening.
BREAKING: MEC Sihle Zikalala announces British Airways to operate a new direct flight between Durban’s King Shaka Airport and London’s Heathrow Airport. #durbanhasmore #africastravelindaba @ECR_Newswatch
— Bernadette Wolhuter (@bernwolhuter) May 8, 2018
British Airways is confident the route will help grow international tourism numbers to KwaZulu-Natal.
It also believes the flights will offer the province's business travellers and holidaymakers an easier and more convenient alternative as they look to jet off to the UK or Europe.
It also believes the flights will offer the province's business travellers and holidaymakers an easier and more convenient alternative as they look to jet off to the UK or Europe.
BA says the first direct flight from London to Durban is planned for 29 October. It’ll be operating 3 flights a week, using the Boeing 747-8 Dreamliner. @ECR_Newswatch #durbanhasmore #africastravelindaba #tourism
— Bernadette Wolhuter (@bernwolhuter) May 8, 2018
Thousands of delegates have flocked to the city for the annual travel show.
The exhibition, which showcases Southern Africa's best tourism products, attracts international buyers and media from across the world.
The exhibition, which showcases Southern Africa's best tourism products, attracts international buyers and media from across the world.
The event wraps up at the Durban ICC on Thursday.