Starting October 29, BA will be offering three-times-weekly non-stop flights direct to Durban, South Africa. The 5,935-mile flight will now take 12 hours, as opposed to the current 15-hour option which involves connecting through Johannesburg, Nairobi or Addis Ababa. Alternatively, many travellers use other routes through Istanbul, Dubai and Doha.
The airline anticipates that the fuel-efficient Boeing 787 “Dreamliner” will make the route viable.
The London-Dubai departure will be overnight, with a daytime flight from Durban to London, timings which are intended to appeal to travelers from Germany, France and Scandinavia who do not favor connecting at Johannesburg.
Alex Cruz, BA’s chairman and CEO, said: “It is a gateway to many nature reserves, parks and historic sites, and has a thriving food, drink and art scene.
“Durban is also home to the busiest port in South Africa and is a large manufacturing hub. The new route will secure another important link between the UK and the region that will be a welcome addition for business travelers.”
British Airways’ network to southern Africa has diminished over the years, with links to Harare, Lusaka, Lilongwe and Gaborone removed from its schedule of flights.
