Travellers can now select from a total of 21 flights a week to South Africa from Qatar Airways' hub Hamad International Airport. Guests to Durban - South Africa's third biggest city will welcome its subtropical atmosphere, socially different population and the assortment of outdoor activities. Known for its delightful shorelines and warm oceans, the city appreciates 300 or more days of daylight during the year, perfect for surfing and shopping at its different open air markets.

Qatar and South Africa have an exceptionally solid trade relationship, further reinforced by Durban's significant financial development which has been supported by various multinational organisations recently building their presence in the city.

Qatar Airways' new route will take care of a growing demand from travellers looking for business and recreation trips to Durban and will better serve explorers and guests from South Africa who is looking for more significant connections with 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 and improvement of the Dube TradePort, we expect the number of business and employment opportunities in Durban to increase,' said Qatar Airways chief executive, Akbar Al Baker.

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

The new traveller service will complement Qatar Airways' current freighter services to Johannesburg. Qatar Airways Cargo, the world's third biggest cargo carrier, has been an active player in the improvement of the South African trade business by joining it with overall markets, through Doha.