British Airways has confirmed that it will
launch thrice weekly direct flights between London Heathrow and
the South African city of Durban on 29 October 2018.
The service
will be the only non-stop link between Europe and Durban and
flights will be operated by British Airways’ newest fleet of
aircraft, the Boeing 787-8.
The timetable will have a morning arrival into
Durban and an evening arrival into Heathrow.
Alex Cruz, British
Airways’ Chairman and CEO, said, “Durban’s warm water, hot summers
and laid-back beach atmosphere make this coastal city the perfect
holiday destination. It is a gateway to many nature reserves,
parks and historic sites, and has a thriving food, drink and art
scene; defining the city as a must-visit for culture and
adventure. Durban is also home to the busiest port in
South Africa and is a large manufacturing hub, so the new route
will secure another important link between the UK and the region
that will be a welcome addition for business travellers.”
British Airways already operates a
twice daily service from Heathrow Terminal 5 to Johannesburg and
flies year-round to Cape Town every day from Terminal 3 and three
times a week from Gatwick during the winter season.
British
Airways has a long-standing partnership with Comair who fly direct
from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Durban and six other
destinations across South Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa and the
Indian Ocean Islands.
Sihle Zikalala, Minister for the Department of Economic
Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, said, “We are
proud to be able to showcase the city of Durban to the world
through this new British Airways direct flight, the sheer
diversity in travel and business opportunities that visitors can
access through this gateway into the province of KwaZulu-Natal
will unlock enormous potential. Great Britain and
KwaZulu-Natal share a very rich history, and we are excited to be
able to rekindle that relationship with the launch of this new
route. The investment and trade opportunities presented by this
direct flight between Durban and London will undoubtedly add value
to our economy.”
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