DURBAN-DUBAI DAILY FLIGHTS

Emirates Airlines Senior Vice-President Nigel Page has conceeded that the Dubai-based flight airline giant could not wait any longer than capitalising to the ample business opportunities that were offered by the Durban's existing status as the busiest port in Africa.

He inimated that they had signed a Memorandum of Understanding to flight direct to the La Mercy (King Shaka0 International Airport when it opens early in 2010 but after a careful analysis and re-evaluation of business opportunities, they had 'for a competitive edge' decided to have their 278-seater Airbus flying to Durban International Airport at the beginning of October 2009.

These sentiments were echoed in Durban when the historic direct major international air route agreement was announced at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre on Monday (27 July 2009).

The launch of the daily flights between Dubai and Durban was a cherry on top to the pledge that was made by the former KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sibusiso Ndebele during the 2007 Tourism Indaba that, he said, 'our intended launch in due course of the direct flights with Emirates Airlines will serve as a major boast to KZN's economic development and tourism industry as we make our province the Africa's premier tourist destination and gateway to the international world'.

The Durban-Dubai direct international carrier daily operations deal was signed by the incumbent KZN Premier Zweli Mkhize and the Emirates Airways Senior Vice-President Nigel Page, with the Tourism KZN CEO Ndabo Khoza being a co-signatory.

"The signing of the Durban-Dubai daily flights agreement is a major landmark for our region as the Kingdom of the Zulu will now have our own gateway to international destinations.
With the opening of King Shaka (La Mercy) International Airport early next year, this international direct route will position our province as Africa's leading tourism destination and will make inbound and outbound international travel easier and cost-effective' said Khoza.

Premier Mkhize noted the significance of the KZN launch during the current global economic meltdown.
"In the face of the economic downturn, we want to maximise and enhance Durban's position as a trading hub.
With this daily service to Dubai we are capitalising on the KZN's attractiveness to the world as official figures have indicated an annual 20% growth.
Emirates Airlines have direct flights to Angola three times a week, and the Durban-Dubai direct flights on a daily basis is both historic and significant as it sets a positive outlook for Durban, KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa at large.
We're very excited over this partnership with the globally-renowned 'sought after' tourism attractive Dubai" observed Mkhize.

Meanwhile, a week ago had seen Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk releasing the 2008 official visitor figures which had showed that KZN still tops in South Africa's domestic tourism.
"Despite the tough economic condition, the tourism industry has remained relatively bouyant.
And KwaZulu-Natal is one of the major beneficiaries of domestic tourism and remains the top domestic destination in our country" said van Schalkwyk.