New regional airports planned to help boost tourism in KZN

iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a hotspot for tourists visiting KZN. Photo: @iSimangalisoZA / twitter

KZN is looking to launch more regional airports in parts of the province in order to access more of it’s stunning tourism sites.

iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a hotspot for tourists visiting KZN. Photo: @iSimangalisoZA / twitter

Regional airports for KZN

KwaZulu-Natal is in the process of creating a network of regional airports in order to provide more access to some of the region’s most attractive tourism spots, including the World Heritage Sites of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg, reports Tourism Update.

Last month the Mkuze Airport in KZN was officially launched by KZN’s MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Siboniso Duma. R72 million was spent on upgrades for the airport in order to house commercial aircraft of up to 100 passengers.

These upgrades included resurfacing of the regional airport’s 1.8km runway, construction of a new terminal building, as well as car-hire facilities and perimeter fencing.

“The airport will improve air connectivity through commercial airlines, which will increase the number of local and international tourists to the region. This airport will not only stimulate tourism but will drive more tourism product developments and job creation,” Duma claimed at the launch in November.

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The new Mkuze Airport was recently launched in November 2022. Photo: @SZondi / twitter

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Kruger to Mkuze on the cards

The very first airline to commit to flights to the new Mkuze airport is Federal Airlines, which currently flies direct to Phinda Private Game Reserve from Skukuza and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA).

Jason Werdmuller, who is the sales manager at Group Leisure, said that Easter 2023 would be ideal to start shuttle flights to the KZN region from KMIA via Phinda to Mkuze.

“At first there will be one flight a day. As demand rises, we will look at increasing frequencies with an option of adding aircraft. We believe the best way forward is to focus on the international leisure inbound market and domestic travellers wanting to visit the region,” said Werdmuller.

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Sundeeka Mungroo

Sundeeka Mungroo is a content writer, foodie and all-round adventure-seeker. She's a graduate of the University of South Africa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature, and has worked as a copywriter and editor in the digital marketing industry. Sundeeka currently writes for I Love South Africa and The South African. She lives in the beautiful Mother City and loves exploring all that South Africa has to offer.