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King Shaka International Airport continues to grow in 2019

King Shaka International Airport continues to grow in 2019

Date: 2020-01-31

The number of passengers arriving and departing during December last year through King Shaka International Airport (KSIA) grew more than 11% compared to the same period in 2018, making it the fastest-growing airport in South Africa.

The airport facilitated the journeys of more than 616 000 passengers arriving and departing during December last year, up from 553 000 for the same period the previous year.

"Most airlines operated at near to full capacity during the peak holiday month as both international and local visitors flocked to Durban for the end-of-year break," says Colin Naidoo, KSIA Senior Manager, Corporate Affairs.

"The growth in passenger numbers reflects not only the increasing attractiveness of Kwa-Zulu Natal as a tourist destination, but that flying directly to their destination has become more affordable and convenient for more visitors. We are proud to say that December 2019 yielded the highest passenger volumes for the first time in its history, of which 93% of total pax were domestic travellers."

Naidoo said the growth in international traffic was the result of several international airlines operating direct routes to Durban from major cities such as London and Dubai. It also indicates that the domestic airlines were at capacity to ensure passengers had more choices to local destinations including Durban. With Durban being an events destination with sport, conference and music added to the destination of choice for people traveling to Durban and KZN.

The number of international visitors arriving and departing through KSIA grew to more than 43 000 during December 2019, up more than 11% on the same period of the previous year. Meanwhile, there was a 12% increase to more than 570 000 in December 2019 (2018: 511 000) in domestic passengers.

"There is increasing competition among international airlines for direct routes and we are doing our best to attract new airlines and to benefit from this," says Naidoo.

The airport has won several accolades and awards over the past year, including the best regional airport in Africa in the Skytrax World Airport Awards in 2019, CAA Safety Award 2019 and Skytax Best Airport Staff 2019!

The airport hopes that this trend will continue as 2020 rapidly approaches with its challenges and opportunities. The increasing passenger numbers during the busy peak season month puts King Shaka International Airport firmly on track to grow its total passenger numbers to more than 6 million a year by the end of March this year.