Qatar Airways has launched new services between Doha and Durban.

The four-times-weekly service to Durban further complements the airline’s existing daily flights to Cape Town and double daily flights to Johannesburg, and is an expansion of the airline’s operations in South Africa.

Travellers can now choose from a total of 21 flights a week to South Africa from Qatar Airways’ hub Hamad International Airport.

“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 of the Dube TradePort, we expect the number of business and employment opportunities in Durban to increase,” said Qatar Airways Group chief executive, Akbar Al Baker.

“Durban’s prestige is recognised by the world-class events it has been chosen to host, further reinforcing the city’s strong and vibrant future as a global tourism destination.”

Both Doha and Durban will each host major global events in 2022.

Doha will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar and during the same year, Durban will host the XXII Common Wealth Games.

The new passenger service will complement Qatar Airways’ existing freighter services to Johannesburg.

Qatar Airways Cargo, the world’s third largest cargo carrier, has been an active player in the development of the South African export business by connecting it with worldwide markets, via Doha.