Turkish Airlines returns to Durban.

The airline’s return to Durban’s King Shaka International Airport will add much-needed traffic between Europe and South Africa according to Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) regional general manager, Nkosinathi Myataza, who says the resumption of the Turkish Airlines flights signified the resilience of the aviation industry which had been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic.

He also stated that the flights would assist in the recovery of air freight and passenger travel.

The airline has extended two of its Istanbul-Johannesburg flights to include Durban on Thursdays and Saturdays and has plans to increase these to four weekly flights later this year, depending on passenger uptake.

Speaking on behalf of the eThekwini Municipality, Nkosenhle Madlala, said prior to Covid-19, Istanbul ranked number seven as a top international destination for Durban.

“These flights to Durban will make it easier for local passengers to visit Istanbul and will allow travellers from our source markets in Europe to fly into Durban,” he said.

Turkish Airlines has a route network connecting 128 countries and 329 cities from its hub in Istanbul.