Qatar Airways Announces Major Expansion of African Network

Qatar Airways is significantly expanding its African network with a strategic focus on new routes and increased flight frequencies, the airline announced as part of its ongoing growth initiatives. The carrier will reinstate flights to Kigali (KGL) in Rwanda with two weekly services, providing enhanced connectivity to the East African nation. These services are scheduled to commence from June 16, 2026. In addition to these resumptions, Qatar Airways also confirmed its intention to launch flights to Port Sudan (PZU) in Sudan, marking a new destination in its rapidly growing network across the continent. This full expansion shows Qatar Airways' commitment to strengthening its presence and offering more travel options throughout Africa.

New Routes and Resumptions

A key part of this expansion involves the resumption of services to several popular destinations. Qatar Airways flights to Seychelles (SEZ) are scheduled to resume with four weekly services, offering passengers increased access to the idyllic Indian Ocean archipelago. These services to Seychelles will begin on June 16, 2026. Separately, a daily Qatar Airways flight to Marrakesh (RAK) in Morocco, a city renowned for its vibrant culture and historical significance, will commence from July 1, 2026, further enhancing the airline's North African footprint. The reinstatement of flights to Kigali (KGL) in Rwanda, with two weekly services starting June 16, 2026, will re-establish a key link for business and leisure travellers.

Qatar Airways will launch flights to Port Sudan (PZU) in Sudan, a strategic addition to its network. From July 2, 2026, Qatar Airways will operate three weekly services between its hub in Doha (DOH) and Port Sudan (PZU), providing direct and convenient travel options. These flights to Port Sudan are specifically scheduled for every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, ensuring regular connectivity throughout the week. The flight details for this new route have also been confirmed: Flight QR1319 will depart Doha at 0900 local time, offering a morning departure, and is expected to arrive in Port Sudan at 1100 local time. The return flight, QR1320, will then depart Port Sudan at 1225, allowing for a comfortable turnaround, and is expected to land back in Doha at 1620, completing the round trip within the same day.

Increased Flight Frequencies

Beyond new routes and resumptions, Qatar Airways is also significantly expanding its flight frequencies to several existing and popular African destinations, demonstrating a strong commitment to enhancing accessibility and choice for passengers. Weekly services to Alexandria (HBE) in Egypt are set to increase substantially, moving from three flights per week to seven, thereby providing daily connectivity to this important Egyptian port city. Similarly, flights to Cairo (CAI), the bustling capital of Egypt and a major regional hub, will see a substantial boost, rising from 28 to up to 35 weekly services, offering multiple daily options for travellers.

In Southern Africa, Cape Town (CPT) in South Africa, a premier tourist destination, will experience a significant increase in services, moving from daily flights to up to 10 weekly flights, providing greater flexibility for both business and leisure travellers. Dar es Salaam (DAR) in Tanzania, a key gateway to East Africa's natural wonders, is scheduled to upgrade from three weekly flights to a daily operation, markedly enhancing accessibility to the region. The vital route connecting Lusaka (LUN) in Zambia and Harare (HRE) in Zimbabwe will also see increased services, moving from five weekly flights to a daily schedule, facilitating greater regional movement. Additionally, the Maputo (MPM)-Durban (DUR) service, connecting Mozambique and South Africa, is slated to step up from four weekly flights to daily operations, further integrating regional travel. These adjustments are a key part of Qatar Airways' broader strategy to strengthen its presence and expand its market share across the African continent, catering to growing demand for air travel.

Strategic Network Growth

The full adjustments to Qatar Airways' African network and flight schedules, encompassing both new destinations and enhanced frequencies, will take effect starting June 16, 2026. This strategic expansion is designed to not only meet the increasing demand for air travel to and from Africa but also to solidify Qatar Airways' position as a leading international carrier connecting the continent to its global network. The airline's investment in these routes reflects its long-term vision for African connectivity, aiming to provide passengers with unparalleled convenience, choice, and smooth travel experiences. The airline anticipates that these changes will significantly benefit trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between Africa and the rest of the world, reinforcing its role as a key player in global aviation.