Qatar Airways is expanding its African network from 16 June 2026, restoring key routes, increasing flight frequencies and launching a new Port Sudan service that will strengthen travel links between Doha and destinations across the continent.
The airline will restart four weekly flights to Seychelles and two weekly flights to Kigali from 16 June. Daily flights to Marrakesh will resume from 1 July, while three weekly services between Doha and Port Sudan will launch on 2 July.
The wider expansion also includes additional flights to Alexandria, Cairo, Cape Town, Dar es Salaam, the Lusaka-Harare route and the Maputo-Durban route. The changes will give leisure and business travellers more schedule options while reinforcing Hamad International Airport as a gateway for Africa-bound journeys.
Port Sudan Adds A New Red Sea Connection
Port Sudan becomes the newest destination in the network expansion, with flights operating every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Flight QR1319 will travel from Doha to Port Sudan, while QR1320 will operate the return journey.
The new service adds a scheduled Red Sea link and supports passengers using Doha as a transfer point. It can also improve access for travellers connecting from markets such as Oman and Pakistan.
For Sudan, the route brings greater international visibility to a coastal gateway associated with marine experiences, including Red Sea diving and coral-rich waters. This creates tourism potential alongside business travel and visiting-friends-and-relatives demand.
Seychelles, Kigali And Marrakesh Return
The return of Seychelles flights is a major leisure development. The island destination is known for pristine waters, distinctive biodiversity and tropical scenery. Improved access through Doha can support hotels, resorts, local excursions and nature-based tourism while creating more options for honeymoon and luxury travel.
Kigali also returns to the Qatar Airways network with twice-weekly flights. Rwanda’s capital is positioned as a green, clean and dynamic gateway with road links to the rest of the country. The restored route can support cultural tourism, meetings travel and onward journeys linked to Rwanda’s conservation-focused visitor economy.
Marrakesh will return with daily flights from 1 July. The Moroccan city remains a powerful cultural destination for travellers seeking medina experiences, heritage, food, wellness, desert excursions and journeys towards the Atlas Mountains. Daily frequency provides stronger flexibility for long-haul visitors arriving through Doha.
Egypt, South Africa And Tanzania Gain Capacity
Egypt receives one of the largest frequency increases. Alexandria will rise from three weekly flights to up to seven, while Cairo will increase from 28 weekly flights to up to 35. The higher capacity strengthens access for city breaks, heritage tourism, business travel and wider Egypt itineraries.
Cape Town flights will increase from seven weekly services to up to 10, reinforcing access to one of South Africa’s best-known leisure cities. At the same time, the Maputo-Durban route will rise from four weekly flights to up to seven, supporting regional movement between Mozambique and South Africa.
Dar es Salaam will also increase from three weekly flights to up to seven. The Tanzanian gateway supports business demand and tourism itineraries connected with coastal stays, islands and safari journeys.
Southern Africa Benefits From Stronger Regional Links
The Lusaka-Harare route will increase from five weekly flights to up to seven. This can help travellers build twin-country itineraries across Zambia and Zimbabwe, including safari experiences and trips linked to the Victoria Falls region.
The Maputo-Durban increase adds another layer of flexibility for travellers exploring Southern Africa’s eastern coastline. More frequent flights can support business movement, short regional breaks and broader international journeys connected through Doha.
Doha Connectivity Supports Tourism Growth
The expansion strengthens Qatar’s role as a bridge between Africa and global markets. Qatar Airways is rebuilding its network to more than 160 destinations worldwide through Doha, giving travellers additional opportunities to combine African journeys with long-haul connections.
Hamad International Airport provides transfers, shopping, dining and passenger services, while Qatar stopover options can turn a connecting journey into a short visit.
For travellers, the changes mean more choice and simpler route planning. For destinations, additional flights can support hotels, attractions, restaurants, tour operators and local transport providers.
With Seychelles and Kigali returning, Marrakesh moving to daily service, capacity rising across major gateways and Port Sudan joining the network, Qatar Airways is giving African tourism a wider platform for growth through Doha.
Editorial verification note: The route dates, flight numbers, operating days, frequency increases and network details were checked against the official Qatar Airways newsroom announcement. The tourism framing was cross-checked against official destination and visitor-authority information, including Visit Qatar, Tourism Seychelles, Visit Rwanda, the Moroccan National Tourist Office and Experience Egypt. The original article brief was supplied in the uploaded text.
