DALLAS – Doha-based Qatar Airways (QR) introduced services to South Africa on January 16, 2005 when it launched flights to Johannesburg (JNB) and Cape Town (CPT). 20 years later, QR operates scheduled flights to three of the country’s hubs: JNB, CPT, and Durban (DUR). 

The carrier operates up to 33 weekly flights to South Africa from its hub at Doha's Hamad International Airport (DOH). The airline approached its 20th year of service to South Africa with its busiest festive season ever in the country, the carrier is set to operate up to 35 weekly flights for the peak summer season

The expanded schedule includes 12 weekly flights to CPT, 18 flights a week to Johannesburg, and five weekly flights to Durban via Mozambique. This expansion reflects the airline's commitment to the region. QR's recent acquisition of a 25% stake in South African airline Airlink (4Z) denotes the importance of tourism potential in the country.

Qatar Airways has recorded exceptional growth in passenger demand, with its flights to JNB and CPT moving from 60-75% capacity in 2019 to 90% in the last 12 months. That said, QR carried over 84,000 passengers to and from Africa in the two weeks between December 22 last year and January 6 this year. 

South African Interests

The Qatari flag carrier has a key interest in South Africa. Last year, it acquired a 25% shareholding in South Africa’s privately owned regional airline, Airlink. QR often looks to South Africa to source human capital, including pilots, cabin crew, and even chefs for its catering division.

The airline also incorporates various traditional South African dishes in its inflight menus. Flavors such as biltong beef soup, lamb potjie, and bunny chow feature prominently on inflight menus during QR’s scheduled services. 

The airline frequently assists in repatriating animals as part of its wildlife conservation efforts. Through its WeQare sustainability program, named Rewild the Planet, QR has committed to preserving wildlife and endangered animals by transporting them back to their natural habitat free of charge. South Africa has proven to be a popular relocation site for many of these animals.

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