Durban targets more international airlines

Durban International Airport in South Africa is set to launch an initiative designed to encourage more long-haul airlines to offer services to the city.

The provincial tourism authority of KwaZulu-Natal and Airports Company SA will offer a number of incentives to attract carriers to Durban, reports Business Day.

With fuel prices rising and global economic problems having an influence on public demand for flights, many airlines flying to South Africa have limited their services to more established hubs such as Cape Town and Johannesburg.

However, Ndabo Khoza, chief executive of the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Authority, was confident that the situation would improve over the coming years.

"The economic situation is not permanent and we will continue lobbying airlines to add Durban to their networks," he said.

Emirates announced plans earlier this year to begin flying to Durban but, despite strong early demand for the service, was forced to abandon the initiative as a result of rising fuel costs.

While Durban is yet to secure the services of any international airlines, Johannesburg's OR Tambo International, South Africa's largest airport, is served by British Airways, Air France, Kenya Airways and others.

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