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Durban international airport in South Africa is hoping to attract more long-haul airlines to boost tourism in the coastal city, according to reports.

The tourism authority of KwaZulu-Natal, the province in which Durban is located, and Airports Company SA are planning to offer a number of incentives to carriers offering international services from the destination.

Recent increases in fuel costs have seen international airlines such as British Airways and Air France limit their services to the major hubs of Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Emirates planned to launch a service from Durban this year but was forced to abandon the launch as a result of high fuel costs.

However, Ndabo Khoza, chief executive of the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Authority, was positive about the future, telling Business Day: 'The economic situation is not permanent and we will continue lobbying airlines to add Durban to their networks.'

He added: 'If the capacity is there we can create the demand and make the Durban route a sustainable one.'

Durban is a popular destination among visitors to South Africa, boasting attractions such as the Golden Mile, the popular stretch of beachfront that lies alongside the city.

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