While domestic tourism to Durban is stable, the number of international visitors to KZN remains 80 below pre-COVID levels . This is a strong driver for Durbans air route development committee, Durban Direct, to prioritise the improvement of air access into the city.
Durban Direct was established to improve access to KZN and is a collaborative initiative between several stakeholders with the aim ofattracting direct flights, foreign business interest, investment and tourism.
Although the province has 364 weekly frequencies on domestic routes, international routes are served by only 22 frequencies, according to Durban Directs data. International traffic through King Shaka International Airport in 2023 remained 39 below pre-pandemic levels.
FEDHASA reported that while current air capacity is sufficient to meet the constrained demand for Durban, attracting more airlines was crucial for future growth.
For the amount of tourism Durban currently has, the airlift is sufficient. But if Durban is going to grow the tourismmarket again, then it needs more diversity in airlift and that is why we need more airlinesto come into the province, says Brett Tungay , Board Member of FEDHASA East Coast.
