King Shaka Airport passenger numbers grow by double digits
King Shaka handled almost 5.9 million domestic and international passengers in total during 2018, of which 372,543 were passengers flying on international routes.
KING Shaka International Airport (KSIA) ended 2018 on a record high by growing international passenger numbers by 13 per cent in December. This, together with strong domestic passenger growth of more than six per cent for 2018, saw KSIA retaining its position as South Africa’s fastest growing major airport for a second year.
King Shaka handled almost 5.9 million domestic and international passengers in total during 2018, of which 372,543 were passengers flying on international routes.
“British Airways new non-stop service between London’s Heathrow International Airport and Durban, introduced in late October 2018, has propelled growth at KSIA. We are now seeing double digit growth in international passengers,” says Hamish Erskine, co-chair of Durban Direct and CEO of Dube TradePort Corporation.
Read also: Rabies vaccination drives to start soon
“The three times a week flight has proven that there is an untapped demand for direct air services into Durban. The growth we are seeing with the Durban- London route is in line with the projected growth demonstrated by our business case to British Airways, which factored into their decision to introduce the direct route,” he said.
Phillip Sithole, eThekwini Municipality’s deputy city manager for economic development and planning, said tourists spent some R2.7 billion in Durban during the 2018 festive season, which is an increase of R500 million.
“We foresee this number growing with the introduction of new domestic, regional and international flights. We have been working on a coordinated strategy together with tourism organisations and the industry to maintain the high standard of tourism products we offer as a city. This, together with greater international and local air connectivity, has seen Durban capably hosting a million visitors during the festive season.”
Read also: Two poaching attempts foiled in KZN
For more from Northglen News follow us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also follow us on Instagram
