There are plans afoot to strengthen efforts to establish direct international flights to Durban.
The KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) and Durban's air route development committee, Durban Direct, say they have a strategy to enhance connectivity, tourism and trade, especially in anticipation of the 2026 opening of the important Club Med resort on the North Coast, reveals Durban Direct.
During the EDTEA budget breakdown in late April, MEC Musa Zondi revealed that the 2025/26 budget would prioritise tourism development. As part of the tourism strategy, the department aims to secure direct flights to Durban from the UK, India and France.
“We are working closely with relevant stakeholders to grow KZN’s air connectivity. King Shaka International Airport remains a strategic asset, and we are pursuing partnerships with global carriers,” said Zondi.
Thulisile Galelekile, Durban Direct Marketing Sub-Committee Chair, told Travel News that the committee had strategised this part of the MEC’s tourism development strategy, and it is actively engaging with international airlines to open new direct routes from London, Paris and Mumbai.
“These cities were chosen due to their strong tourism and trade connections, significant diaspora communities and high passenger volumes,” explains Galelelkile.
Paula Martini, Travel Industry Strategist and Author, of agency Travel with Purpose, points out that while some of these routes may have sufficient demand to justify direct routes, attracting direct flights may prove challenging.
“The UK and India routes show strong demand—driven by over 400 000 UK visitors arriving annually, and Durban’s one million Indian-South African residents travelling to visit family—but France hinges on premium travellers and Club Med Tinley’s appeal,” said Martini.
However, a lack of direct international flights at King Shaka International Airport will also impact Club Med’s 2026 opening. This is expected to draw an additional 50 000 to 100 000 international guests, said Martini.
“The Club Med’s R5 000 to R10 000 per night rates target affluent international travellers, such as the French, British and Indians, not locals, who prefer Mauritius or Zanzibar for R15 000 per week,” said Martini.
She also explained that KZN’s lack of alternate airports, like Johannesburg's Lanseria Airport and Cape Town's Winelands Airport, deters airlines from boosting capacity.
London–Durban
This route was previously served by British Airways. The direct service, launched in 2018 with the support of Durban Direct, had achieved a 70% load factor in its first year and had resulted in an 11% increase in international passenger traffic through King Shaka International Airport.
“Engagements with a number of airlines including British Airways have been initiated to reinstate this high-performing route,” she said.
Mumbai–Durban
According to Durban Direct market research, India represents Durban's fourth-largest international passenger market.
KZN is home to the largest Indian population outside India, and that, coupled with strong trade ties and shared cultural heritage, is a compelling case for a direct route.
“Additionally, seafarers travelling through the port of Durban, who change shifts regularly, fly to numerous destinations in the East from Durban,” explains Galelekile.
She revealed that Durban Direct is engaging with airlines, including IndiGo and Air India, to meet this demand.
Paris–Durban
France and Germany are traditionally strong source markets for KZN’s international inbound tourism. Durban Direct expects this demand to grow upon the opening of the R2 billion Club Med resort development.
“Combining both a beach and bush experience, the Club Med resort will be the most significant tourism development in South Africa since the development of Sun City and is expected to significantly boost travel demand from France and broader European markets,” said Galelekile.
Durban Direct confirmed that it was currently in discussions with Air France and its partners to establish a direct route supporting this development.
However, Country Manager for Southern Africa at Air France-KLM, Wilson Tauro, told Travel News that Air France and KLM have no plans for direct flights to Durban yet.
