Qatar Airways launched new services between Doha and Durban yesterday, offering passengers the opportunity to experience another idyllic subtropical destination.

The four-times-weekly service to Durban further complements the airline’s existing daily flights to Cape Town and double daily flights to Johannesburg and is an expansion of the airline’s operations in South Africa. Travellers can now choose from a total of 21 flights a week to South Africa from Qatar Airways’ hub Hamad International Airport.

Visitors to Durban - South Africa’s third largest city - will appreciate its subtropical climate, culturally diverse population and the variety of outdoor activities. Known for its beautiful beaches and warm seas, the city enjoys 300-plus days of sunshine during the year, ideal for surfing and shopping at its various outdoor markets.

Qatar and South Africa have a very strong trade relationship, further strengthened by Durban’s significant economic growth which has been bolstered by a number of multinational companies recently building their presence in the city. Qatar Airways’ new route will help to meet a growing demand from passengers seeking business and leisure trips to Durban and will better serve travellers from South Africa who are seeking greater connections to the Middle East, Europe, United States, Asia Pacific and South Asia.

“Qatar is one of South Africa’s largest trading partners in the Middle East and we are proud to strengthen this business relationship with the launch of our new route connecting Durban directly to Doha. With its excellent aviation infrastructure and the development of the Dube TradePort, we expect the number of business and employment opportunities in Durban to increase,” said Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker, who travelled on board the inaugural Qatar Airways Boeing 787-Dreamliner yesterday.

“Durban’s prestige is recognised by the world-class events it has been chosen to host, further reinforcing the city’s strong and vibrant future as a global tourism destination,” added Baker.

Both Doha and Durban will each host major global events in 2022. Doha will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar and during the same year, Durban will host the XXII Common Wealth Games.

Passengers to and from Durban will have the opportunity to enjoy award-winning Business and Economy Class service while travelling on a Qatar Airways Boeing 787, including up to 2,000 films, music titles and TV shows on Oryx One, the airline’s world-class inflight entertainment system. One of the newest aircraft in the Qatar Airways fleet, the Boeing 787, also known as the Dreamliner, accommodates 254 seats configured in two classes.

The new passenger service will complement Qatar Airways’ existing freighter services to Johannesburg. Qatar Airways Cargo, the world’s third largest cargo carrier, has been an active player in the development of the South African export business by connecting it with worldwide markets, via Doha.