DURBAN will get its
first non-stop link to
Europe in more than
two decades when British
Airways starts direct services
between Durban’s King Shaka
International Airport and
London’s Heathrow Airport
(Terminal 5) three times a
week on October 29.
Sue Petrie, commercial
manager of BA Southern
Africa, says the direct flights
should provide a more
convenient and alternative
service for the province’s
business travellers and
holidaymakers wanting to get
to the UK and Europe.
There has been talk of UK
airlines looking to launch direct
services out of Durban since
mid-2016. June Crawford,
ceo of Barsa, says BA’s new
service will be welcomed by
both corporate and leisure
travellers. “The launch of
this route is indicative of how
real incentives bear fruit. It
is all about route profitability,
and these incentives reduce
operational costs,” she
explains. Commenting on the
new service in light of the
number of airlines that have
recently cut their Durban route,
she says: “Sustainability is, of
course, the real test.”
Michelle Boshoff, gm of
central services at Pentravel,
reiterates that the new service
is exciting news. “Durban
clients are always having to
put up with the inconvenience
of transiting somewhere en
route to London – either
Johannesburg or internationally
– so this means shorter travel
times and healthy competition
for travellers to London and
beyond.” Vicky Steinhardt,
product manager of Pentravel,
says families with young
children will be especially
thrilled.
However, Michelle points
out that it is up to the Durban
community to support the
route and ensure that it
grows in popularity. “Hopefully
this will encourage other
international airlines to launch
services out of Durban as
well.”
BA’s DUR-LHR service will be
operated by its newest aircraft,
the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner,
with return fares from Durban
starting from R11 679,
including carrier surcharges
and airport taxes. In winter,
flight BA41 will depart LHR
on Mondays, Thursdays and
Saturdays at 15h45 and arrive
in DUR at 05h35 the next day.
Flight BA40 will depart DUR on
Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays
at 07h35 and arrive in LHR at
17h45.
In summer, flight BA41 will
depart LHR on Mondays,
Thursdays and Saturdays at
16h45 and arrive in DUR at
05h35 the next day. Flight
BA40 will depart DUR on
Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays
at 07h35 and arrive in LHR at
18h45.
Trade thrilled about direct DUR-LHR flights
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