A decision by British Airways to introduce a direct, non-stop flight between London’s Heathrow Airport and Durban’s King Shaka International Airport is a game changer  for KwaZulu-Natal as it will be instrumental in contributing to an increase in international arrivals from the United Kingdom and North America.

British Airways announced the introduction of the route to a global audience today (Tuesday, May the 8th 2018), while at the same time  the MEC of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Mr Sihle Zikalala, announced the long awaited decision to delegates attending Africa’s Travel INDABA in Durban. The route is a huge leap forward for the tourism sector, propelling foreign direct investment, improving business connectivity and ensuring the economic empowerment of South Africans.

Following closely on the heels of airlines such as Qatar Airways , Emirates, Air Mauritius and  Turkish Airlines,  who offer direct flights to Doha, Dubai, Mauritius, and Istanbul, British Airways will begin flying a three times weekly schedule direct from London Heathrow’s Terminal 5 to Durban’s,  King Shaka International Airport , starting on 29th of October 2018.