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KwaZulu-Natal Economic Development, Tourism and Environment MEC, Ravi Pillay, warned that British Airways plans to suspend 13 destinations, including the direct Durban-London route from its network, will hamper the growth of international air services in the region. -COVID-19.
This follows reports that British Airways is planning to suspend the direct flight route between Durban and London for the upcoming summer season, as part of efforts to cut costs and accommodate the lower level of travel demand in the wake of the Covid pandemic. -19.
Pillay said British Airways’ decision should be seen in the larger context of an organization that has worked hard to keep flying, despite the pandemic affecting all of its global operations.
“This organization has had to make extraordinary sacrifices, laying off some 12,000 employees and retiring 31 aircraft.
“The UK has just come out of its second lockdown, which means there just aren’t that many people flying right now,” Pillay said Monday.
Pillay said KZN remains confident that British Airways will resume direct flights to Durban “once more certainty has returned to the world and the aviation industry regains momentum.”
“Our social and economic ties with the UK are long lasting. This will translate into continued demand for flights between Durban and London for tourism, business and visits to friends and family, ”said the MEC.
Hamish Erskine, executive director of Dube TradePort’s Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and co-chair of Durban Direct, said the route development committee understands the reasoning behind British Airways’ decision.
“The impact of Covid-19 and subsequent global travel restrictions have resulted in low anticipated demand. Therefore, it is not unreasonable for an airline like British Airways to reduce the routes in its network.
“However, from the perspective of the Durban Direct route development committee, we are confident in the resilience of the KwaZulu-Natal markets and their ability to maintain direct air services between Durban and London,” said Erskine.
Before Covid-19, Erskine said British Airways experienced very strong load factors, which were a testament to demand for the route, supported by cargo volumes that were nearing capacity.
“The reality on the ground is that Durban remains connected to London by flights from Emirates, which has recently increased its frequency to four flights a week, and Qatar Airways.
“For the last 10 years, we have worked tirelessly to develop this market and after Covid-19, we are committed to taking our experience and rebuilding this route.
“Right now, we have two strong core airlines, Qatar Airways and Emirates, serving Durban and collectively connecting KwaZulu-Natal with more than 250 destinations around the world right now.
“That gives us a reasonably good foundation on which to drive business and leisure travel, as well as cargo growth,” Erskine said.
Meanwhile, due to the resurgence of Covid-19 in South Africa and other parts of the world, Turkish Airlines also decided to suspend its two weekly flights to Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban for the December to January holiday season.
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