THE KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Sihle Zikalala, has expressed his delight over the recent return of both South African Airways (SAA) and Qatar Airways to Durban’s King Shaka International Airport.
Zikalala said he feels the return will boost the tourism sector and the province’s economic recovery.
“Through our Economic Recovery, Reconstruction and Transformation Plan, we have stated our commitment to increasing trade, tourism and beneficial collaboration with the rest of the world. Efficient and regular aviation services are necessary if we are to increase visits to our province, grow tourism numbers, and create jobs up and down the value chain,” Zikalala said.
Related story: SAA to resume flying Johannesburg-Durban route
This follows SAA’s announcement that its first scheduled flight will take off from OR Tambo International to King Shaka International on March 4.
SAA’s return to King Shaka Airport follows close on the heels of the resumption by Qatar Airways.
Qatar, the Gulf airline headquartered in Doha, resumed flying from KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) on January 14, with an initial frequency of four flights per week.
“The uptick in tourism numbers, which is directly related to aviation links, can only mean that KZN is truly on the rise, and that better things will come in 2022. SAA is a major global brand in the aviation, travel and tourism industry, and it remains recognisable to tourists and visitors wanting to visit our country from all corners of the globe,” said Zikalala.
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