South Africa Joins Thailand, Canada, Ireland, UK, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, And More In Driving Unprecedented Tourism Growth With Qatar Airways Expanded Winter Network

Published on November 25, 2025

South Africa joins Thailand, Canada, Ireland, the UK, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and more in skyrocketing tourism growth as Qatar Airways expands its winter 2025-2026 flight network. This surge in flight frequencies to key destinations, including increased services to Kuala Lumpur, Lagos, Shanghai, and Singapore, is designed to meet the growing global demand for travel, improving connectivity and enhancing the premium travel experience. By ramping up its operations, Qatar Airways is not only boosting tourism to these regions but also ensuring smoother and more convenient travel for passengers worldwide.

Qatar Airways is making bold moves to meet growing global demand for air travel by increasing its winter 2025-2026 flight frequencies across multiple key routes, including to Asia, Africa, and Europe. This significant expansion will not only boost tourism but also strengthen the airline’s position as a global leader in aviation, especially connecting travelers to and from emerging and high-demand destinations. South Africa, alongside countries such as Thailand, Canada, Ireland, the UK, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia, is benefiting from Qatar Airways’ increased flight services, which will undoubtedly contribute to the country’s booming tourism sector.

Expanding Global Reach with Increased Frequency

As global demand for air travel rebounds strongly, Qatar Airways continues to fine-tune its operations to provide better connectivity and increased capacity on its winter routes. The airline’s expanded services, which began in December 2025, span across several key markets, with Southeast Asia, West Africa, and East Asia seeing the most substantial growth. The introduction of new weekly flights and the addition of larger aircraft, like the Airbus A380, to high-demand routes signal Qatar Airways’ commitment to keeping up with the surging demand while ensuring comfort, convenience, and seamless travel experiences for passengers.

The added frequencies and new aircraft types will not only facilitate smoother connections between major international destinations but will also significantly enhance tourism in the regions served, especially for countries where travel restrictions have been relaxed, and tourism is steadily recovering.

South Africa Joins Global Tourism Surge

South Africa has long been a favorite destination for international tourists, and with the added capacity on flights to Johannesburg and Cape Town, Qatar Airways is helping to further amplify the growth of the country’s tourism industry. By increasing flight frequency to key cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town, the airline ensures that the South African tourism sector benefits from stronger international links.

Tourists heading to South Africa will find it easier to access not just the vibrant cities, but also the world-famous safari experiences in Kruger National Park, the pristine beaches of Cape Town, and the cultural wealth of Johannesburg. The tourism growth in South Africa is part of the broader trend observed across several countries that Qatar Airways serves with expanded routes, marking a time of resurgence in international travel.

Other Destinations Boosted by Qatar Airways’ Expansion

In addition to South Africa, several other countries are also seeing a surge in tourism as Qatar Airways increases flight frequencies to these key destinations. The airline’s strategic focus on destinations in Asia, Europe, and Africa makes these regions some of the top beneficiaries of its winter schedule adjustments. Here’s a look at the expanded routes and how they’re driving tourism growth:

• Thailand: Qatar Airways will enhance services to Bangkok and Phuket, offering more opportunities for travelers heading to Thailand’s iconic beaches, temples, and cultural hotspots.
• Canada: With more flights to Toronto and Vancouver, Qatar Airways is boosting Canada’s international appeal as a year-round tourism destination, especially for winter sports enthusiasts and travelers seeking unique cultural experiences.
• Ireland: Increased flights to Dublin will support Ireland’s tourism industry, offering more options for travelers interested in exploring the country’s scenic landscapes, ancient castles, and vibrant cities.
• United Kingdom: More frequent flights to London and Manchester will drive greater tourist traffic to the UK, enabling smoother connections for those visiting the country’s world-renowned landmarks, museums, and theaters.
• Malaysia: With more flights to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia continues to be an attractive destination for both leisure travelers and business professionals seeking access to a growing economy and rich cultural experiences.
• Saudi Arabia: The addition of more weekly flights to Riyadh and Jeddah reflects Qatar Airways’ role in supporting the tourism and business growth in the Kingdom, which is currently undergoing significant transformations as part of its Vision 2030 plan.
• Singapore: Starting January 2026, Qatar Airways will utilize the Airbus A380 on selected flights to Singapore, enhancing the premium experience for travelers and accommodating the growing demand for tourism to this global financial hub.

Key Route Expansions

Qatar Airways is rolling out significant increases in the frequency of flights on the following routes:

• Kuala Lumpur (KUL): From 14 to 17 weekly flights beginning December 17, 2025, the increased frequency between Kuala Lumpur and Doha allows smoother connections to key destinations such as London, Paris, and Jeddah. This expansion not only enhances tourism between Southeast Asia and the Middle East but also improves business connectivity.
• Lagos (LOS): From December 15, 2025, to March 28, 2026, services to Lagos will increase from 10 to 14 weekly flights, making it easier for passengers traveling between Nigeria and destinations across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Nigeria’s economic ties with Europe and the Middle East make this route a key focus for Qatar Airways.
• Shanghai (PVG): From January 1 to March 28, 2026, Qatar Airways will boost its Shanghai services, increasing the frequency from 7 to 10 weekly flights. The airline’s expanded connectivity to China aligns with the increasing travel demand between Asia and Europe, as well as the growing importance of Shanghai as a global financial hub.
• Singapore (SIN): Beginning January 12, 2026, Qatar Airways will deploy the Airbus A380 on selected flights to Singapore. The introduction of the A380 provides enhanced capacity, ensuring passengers traveling to Singapore experience elevated premium services on one of the world’s most advanced aircraft.

Enhancing Connectivity and Premium Experience

Qatar Airways’ efforts to expand its network and upgrade its fleet, including deploying the Airbus A380, highlight its commitment to enhancing both connectivity and the premium passenger experience. The airline’s flagship aircraft, known for its spacious cabins and superior services, will offer an unmatched travel experience on long-haul routes such as Singapore, which has long been a popular stop for business and leisure travelers alike.

In addition to the added flight frequencies, Qatar Airways continues to invest in improving passenger experiences through Hamad International Airport (DOH), one of the most advanced hubs globally. With nearly 3,000 additional flights in 2025, Doha has become a central hub for travelers from the Middle East and beyond, further cementing Qatar Airways’ role as a crucial player in the aviation industry.

A Focus on Sustainability

While Qatar Airways is expanding its services and boosting tourism growth, the airline also remains committed to sustainability. As part of its long-term strategy, the airline is incorporating more fuel-efficient aircraft into its fleet and aiming to reduce its carbon footprint. This sustainable approach to growth ensures that the airline can meet the demands of a growing tourism sector without compromising on environmental responsibility.

Qatar Airways’ expansion of winter 2025-2026 flights is a clear reflection of the airline’s forward-thinking approach to meeting the needs of an ever-changing global market. The increase in flight frequencies to destinations such as South Africa, Thailand, Malaysia, Canada, and others plays a significant role in fueling the tourism industry’s recovery, especially in regions that rely heavily on international visitors. With smoother connections, larger aircraft, and more frequent services, Qatar Airways is poised to support tourism growth while offering an exceptional travel experience for passengers.

South Africa joins Thailand, Canada, Ireland, the UK, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and more in skyrocketing tourism growth as Qatar Airways expands its winter 2025-2026 flight network to meet rising global travel demand, enhancing connectivity and boosting regional tourism.

With its robust flight expansion and strategic approach to increasing connectivity, Qatar Airways is playing a pivotal role in bringing more tourists to South Africa, Thailand, Canada, Ireland, the UK, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and beyond. The resulting tourism growth is bound to provide significant economic benefits, positioning these regions for a bright future in global travel.