Not enough is being done to attract international airline operators to Durban's King Shaka International Airport, with only Emirates operating a long-haul flight from the city.
Dean Macpherson, DA chief whip in the Thekwini council, said this in the wake of news that Air France would be flying direct from Paris to Cape Town.
"The DA in ethekwini has noted Air France's recent announcement... This is certainly a welcome boost for tourism in Cape Town. However, the same cannot be said for Durban," he said.
"Durban was sold the promise of increased tourism from international travellers when the new King Shaka Airport was completed in 2010.
"While the idea of building a new airport to attract more tourists was notable, the arrival of new international airlines has simply not materialised. This should be of great concern to tourism bosses in Durban, especially the economic development office in City Hall.
"The DA feels that simply not enough is being done to attract new international airline operators to the city.
"With only Emirates operating a long-haul flight out of Durban, it appears that the promises around King Shaka Airport have simply not come true.
"At present, Cape Town International has 12 international flights a day, while Durban only has one.
"If Durban is to grow its tourism sector, then serious and meaningful engagement must be held with potential airline and tourism operators to see what is stopping them from flying to Durban."
Rohan Persad, the CEO of Dube Tradeport, said the tourism promotion authorities and tourism industry needed to work more actively to support Dube Trade Port in luring international airlines to King Shaka International.
"Durban must be seen as a gateway to the province. The tourism industry and tourism authorities need to develop tour packages for KwazuluNatal," he said.
Persad said Dube TradePort was in continuing discussions with airlines, including Comair.
Asked about Emirates' second flight, which was meant to be in place by last month, he said it remained on the cards.
"They will have a second flight or put a bigger plane on the route by the first quarter of next year. The flight out of Durban is doing exceptionally well, but Emirates don't have enough planes," he said.
"In terms of the memorandum of understanding signed with Comair earlier this year to establish a route to London (Gatwick) and other regional African routes, they have until May next year to announce plans.
"It does not help our efforts that SAA, as the national airline, does not want to operate international flights out of Durban. They cannot argue hub-and-spoke strategy (concentrating traffic to one airport from smaller national airports or spokes) because they fly to London from Cape Town.
"The UK is the singlelargest traveller market out of KZN. If SAA came in, it would add confidence."
Shunnon Tulsiram, ethekwini's head of economic development, said that tourism fell under the business support, markets and tourism unit, headed by Philip Sithole, the CEO of Durban Tourism.
Sithole is at the World Travel Market trade show in London and could not be reached.
Macpherson said: "The DA feels Durban should not be content with being a local tourism destination. We need to work harder to attract lucrative international tourism, which would allow the local economy to grow."