DOHA: Qatar Airways (QA) marked the launch of its new four-time-weekly service between Doha and Durban with two-day celebrations last week in the South African beachfront city.
The inaugural flight QR1367, operated with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, was greeted at King Shaka International Airport by a delegation of officials, including KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Premier Senzo Mchunu, MPL, MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Michael Mabuyakhulu, Mayor of Thekwini Cllr, James Nxumalo, Hamish Erskine, Acting CEO, Dube Trade Port, and Terence Delomoney, General Manager of the airport. Local dignitaries welcomed guests from Doha as they disembarked from the flight.
QA Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker, who arrived in Durban on the flight, said: “It is a great pleasure to further expand our worldwide network with the addition of Durban. 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.
“Durban’s prestige as a tourism destination is attracting an increasing number of travellers who deserve the world-class service and best in class value that only QA can deliver,” he added.
Local and international media attended QA’s news conference in Durban.
Senzo Mchunu, welcomed QA and said: “Direct long-haul air services from Durban will continue to be 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. To position this city internationally, we have taken a route to position Durban as the events capital of Africa, this approach has brought us a tremendous amount of international attention and support from the business community, delegates, tourists and fans from around the world.”
Celebrations continued on December 18 with a media briefing and VIP lunch at Camp Orchards, Hillcrest, hosted by Al Baker, and attended by local dignitaries. The same afternoon an event took place on Durban beach front, adjacent to Moyo Pier, where local artist Pumelelo Kole recreated the Doha skyline out of sand. The 2x3 metre construction was unveiled to the crowd and the media.
The launch of the new service complements QA’s daily flights to Cape Town and double-daily flights to Johannesburg, and is an expansion of its operations in South Africa. Travellers can choose from 21 flights a week to South Africa from QA’s hub, Hamad International Airport.
The Doha-Durban schedule: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays - depart from Doha QR1367 at 07:45, arrives in Johannesburg at 15:20; depart from Johannesburg QR1367 at 16:20 and arrives in Durban at 17:35; depart from Durban QR1368 at 18:45 and arrives in Johannesburg at 20:00; and depart from Johannesburg QR1368 at 21:00 and arrives in Doha at 06:20 (next day)
The Peninsula
DOHA: Qatar Airways (QA) marked the launch of its new four-time-weekly service between Doha and Durban with two-day celebrations last week in the South African beachfront city.
The inaugural flight QR1367, operated with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, was greeted at King Shaka International Airport by a delegation of officials, including KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Premier Senzo Mchunu, MPL, MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Michael Mabuyakhulu, Mayor of Thekwini Cllr, James Nxumalo, Hamish Erskine, Acting CEO, Dube Trade Port, and Terence Delomoney, General Manager of the airport. Local dignitaries welcomed guests from Doha as they disembarked from the flight.
QA Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker, who arrived in Durban on the flight, said: “It is a great pleasure to further expand our worldwide network with the addition of Durban. 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.
“Durban’s prestige as a tourism destination is attracting an increasing number of travellers who deserve the world-class service and best in class value that only QA can deliver,” he added.
Local and international media attended QA’s news conference in Durban.
Senzo Mchunu, welcomed QA and said: “Direct long-haul air services from Durban will continue to be 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. To position this city internationally, we have taken a route to position Durban as the events capital of Africa, this approach has brought us a tremendous amount of international attention and support from the business community, delegates, tourists and fans from around the world.”
Celebrations continued on December 18 with a media briefing and VIP lunch at Camp Orchards, Hillcrest, hosted by Al Baker, and attended by local dignitaries. The same afternoon an event took place on Durban beach front, adjacent to Moyo Pier, where local artist Pumelelo Kole recreated the Doha skyline out of sand. The 2x3 metre construction was unveiled to the crowd and the media.
The launch of the new service complements QA’s daily flights to Cape Town and double-daily flights to Johannesburg, and is an expansion of its operations in South Africa. Travellers can choose from 21 flights a week to South Africa from QA’s hub, Hamad International Airport.
The Doha-Durban schedule: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays - depart from Doha QR1367 at 07:45, arrives in Johannesburg at 15:20; depart from Johannesburg QR1367 at 16:20 and arrives in Durban at 17:35; depart from Durban QR1368 at 18:45 and arrives in Johannesburg at 20:00; and depart from Johannesburg QR1368 at 21:00 and arrives in Doha at 06:20 (next day)
The Peninsula
