First direct flight from London arrives in Durban
It was the first of three direct flights a week between Durban and London.
WITH an African choir delivering a soaring medley of British pop songs and a flash-mob featuring icons of KwaZulu-Natal and the United Kingdom, King Shaka International Airport welcomed flight BA41 on Tuesday morning.
The British Airways Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was the first of three direct flights a week between Durban and London’s Heathrow airport, in what’s seen as a major boost for business and leisure travel for KwaZulu-Natal.
According to the Minister for the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Sihle Zikalala, having direct flights between Durban and London will spur growth in both tourism and trade for both destinations.
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“We are certain that South Africans will embrace the opportunities offered by the direct flights from Durban ensuring that we fully benefit from these new connections,” he said.
Mayor, Zandile Gumede, said she believed the flights would transform the Durban sklyline and landscape for tourism and investment. “This brings a realization of our visitor strategy which focuses on attracting visitors and investors from the UK and European markets to our city,” said Gumede.
British Airways is offering a launch special from Durban with discounts of up to 13% on return fares. World Traveller launch fares start from R7 740, World Traveller Plus from R15 740 and Club World from R33 740. The route expansion comes as British Airways rolls out a £4.5 billion, five-year customer investment plan, with a focus on excellence in the premium cabins and more choice and quality for all its customers.
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