Durban - KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (Edtea) Siboniso Duma has welcomed the arrival of Lift Airlines at King Shaka International Airport, saying it will improve capacity on the Durban- to Johannesburg routes.
Lift Airlines began its scheduled three times daily air services between Johannesburg and Durban on Wednesday.
Edtea said in a statement on Wednesday that the airline, which was established two years ago, has grown its route network to include Durban.
"The launch of Lift Airlines air services to Durban is a welcome addition to King Shaka International Airport, improving the much-needed capacity on one of South Africa's most popular routes Durban - Johannesburg,” said Duma.
The MEC said KZN aims to continue working with airline partners to drive sustainability and stability in the market to ensure that air travel remains accessible for the benefit of all stakeholders.
Edtea said domestic airlines play a significant role in driving the recovery and rebuilding efforts of South Africa's local aviation industry, ensuring that it continues to benefit business and leisure travel.
Mayor of the eThekwini Municipality, Mxolisi Kaunda, extended a warm welcome the airline.
“(We) wish LIFT Airlines growth and resilience that will make it a global player in the aviation sector," he said.
Kaunda said for any city to compete on a global stage, it is crucial to have a vibrant and competitive aviation industry because it facilitates international trade and drives rapid growth in tourism.
“We are pleased that this launch takes place at the time when the city is implementing its summer season campaign. We have no doubt that these flights will contribute immensely to our efforts of attracting more than 900 000 visitors to the City during the festive season," he said.
The CEO and co-founder of LIFT, Jonathan Ayache, said it is no secret that Durban has had its fair share of struggles over the past two years, and the airline is proud and happy to play a small part in bringing back travel and tourism to such a deserving city.
“Durban is one of the most common requests we receive on social media and has been on our radar for a while, and for that, we couldn’t be more excited,” he said.
Hamish Erskine, CEO of Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone and Co-chair of Durban Direct, said as of June 2022, King Shaka International Airport's traffic volumes have recovered to 56% of their pre-pandemic levels.
“King Shaka International Airport is one of the fastest-recovering international airports in South Africa, with a majority of the traffic driven by leisure travel as well as people visiting friends and family. Domestic travel has played a significant role in driving this growth. With Lift Airlines entering the market, we would like to see this development stimulate travel and accelerate traffic volumes," he said.
THE MERCURY