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KwaZulu-Natal Tourism MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube is engaging with the national government following Emirates airline’s decision to cancel all flights in and out of King Shaka International Airport.
The cancellation was reportedly due to lockdown regulations released last week, which would treat cabin crew like passengers, meaning Covid-19 testing and quarantine would be required.
Emirates’ first post-closure flight to King Shaka International was expected on Sunday. The cancellation of Emirates flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg is also expected, according to eNCA.
“I want to confirm that I am currently working with the national government on this issue. And I’m sure this problem will be solved, ”Dube-Ncube said in a statement Saturday.
Dube-Ncube said it would collaborate with various stakeholders from the airline industry.
“I want to reiterate my commitment to continue working with all airlines to position this province as a destination for tourists and for those who want to do business,” he said.
On Tuesday September 29, just before the publication of the new government regulations, Dube-Ncube said: “We are excited that on October 4th we will welcome you [an] Emirates flight at King Shaka International Airport. This will undoubtedly help resurrect the aviation industry and save much-needed jobs.
“It should be remembered that Emirates’ first flight between Durban and Dubai was on October 1, 2009. Since then, the airline has carried more than two million passengers on the route. Over the years, Emirates has been a reliable partner.
“We will continue working with the airline to position this province as a destination for tourists and those who want to do business. We look forward to another ten years of increased number of visitors to KZN ”.
Meanwhile, Qatar Airways said in a statement that it had resumed flight operations to South Africa’s three main airports on Saturday, with the addition of 19 weekly flights to the country. The airline will now operate more flights from South Africa than any other international airline, he said.
During the shutdown, Qatar Airways operated 28 special charter flights that helped repatriate 11,500 South Africans and international travelers.
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