Two days of celebrations marked the launch of Qatar Airways’ new four-times-a-week service between Doha and Durban last week in the South African beachfront city.
The launch of the new service on December 17 complements the airline’s existing daily flights to Cape Town and double-daily flights to Johannesburg, and is an expansion of its operations in South Africa, the Doha-based carrier has said in a statement.
Qatar Airways’ inaugural flight to Durban, QR1367 - operated with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, was greeted at King Shaka International Airport by a delegation of senior officials.
The delegation included premier of KwaZulu-Natal province Senzo Mchunu, MEC (member of executive council) for economic development, tourism and environmental affairs Michael Mabuyakhulu, mayor of eThekwini councillor James Nxumalo, Dube TradePort acting CEO Hamish Erskine and King Shaka International Airport general manager Terence Delomoney.
Qatar Airways Group chief executive Akbar al-Baker, who arrived in Durban on the inaugural flight, said: “We have connected the people of South Africa with our expanding global network for a decade and it is with much delight that we open a third gateway in this beautiful country.”
Welcoming Qatar Airways, Mchunu said: “Direct long-haul air services from Durban will continue to be very important for our province as they serve as the lifeblood of our economy, by opening up new markets for our goods around the world and delivering tourists to our shores.”
The celebrations continued on December 18 when an outdoor event took place on the Durban beachfront, adjacent to Moyo Pier, with local artist Pumelelo Kole recreating the Doha skyline out of sand.
With the launch of the new service, travellers can now choose from a total of 21 flights a week to South Africa from Qatar Airways’ hub, Hamad International Airport.
The Doha-Durban schedule is as follows (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday): QR1367 departing Doha at 7.45am and arriving in Johannesburg at 3.20pm, then departing Johannesburg at 4.20pm and arriving in Durban at 5.35pm; and QR1368 departing Durban at 6.45pm and arriving in Johannesburg at 8pm, then departing Johannesburg at 9pm and arriving in Doha at 6.20am (next day).