Emirates and South African Airways Strengthen Codeshare Partnership, Adding Nine New Cities Across Africa
Dubai: Emirates and South African Airways (SAA) have announced an expansion of their codeshare partnership, which now includes access to nine new cities. This reciprocal agreement aims to enhance connectivity across central and southern Africa, making travel easier for customers.
Since the inception of their codeshare agreement, Emirates and SAA have operated on a unilateral basis. SAA has placed its code on Emirates-operated flights between Dubai and key South African cities such as Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, along with interline access to 68 Emirates destinations worldwide via Dubai. With the necessary regulatory approvals now in place, Emirates will begin placing its code on SAA-operated flights, further extending its network into South Africa and its neighboring countries.
New Routes and Enhanced Connectivity
The expansion introduces nine new routes, which include three domestic links within South Africa: Johannesburg to Cape Town, Durban, and Port Elizabeth. Additionally, six regional routes will connect Johannesburg with Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gaborone in Botswana, Windhoek in Namibia, Lusaka in Zambia, Harare and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
Emirates and SAA have maintained a partnership for nearly 30 years, making it one of the longest-standing collaborations in Emirates’ portfolio. Since 1997, millions of passengers have benefited from this partnership, enjoying seamless travel with single-ticket options. This latest extension of the codeshare agreement reflects both airlines’ commitment to providing enhanced access and convenience for travelers from South Africa and surrounding regions.
Meeting Growing Demand
The recent move is part of Emirates’ ongoing strategy to deliver reliable connectivity for passengers traveling to, from, and within South Africa and the broader region. It also addresses the increasing demand for travel to South Africa from key international markets, particularly Europe, while offering customers greater access to destinations throughout southern and central Africa.
Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer of Emirates, stated that the reciprocal codeshare partnership with SAA represents a natural evolution of a long-standing relationship that has proven beneficial for customers. By placing its code on SAA’s domestic and regional network, Emirates aims to provide seamless access to various destinations across South Africa and neighboring countries, reinforcing its commitment to the region and confidence in Africa’s growth potential.
Strategic Importance of the Partnership
Matshela Seshibe, Acting Group CEO of SAA, noted that the expansion of the partnership with Emirates marks a significant milestone in SAA’s strategy to enhance connectivity across Africa while improving access to global markets. The reciprocal codeshare agreement will offer customers a more seamless travel experience and increased choices across the combined networks. Seshibe emphasized that this partnership goes beyond merely connecting destinations; it is about linking people, businesses, and opportunities across the continent and beyond. By integrating SAA’s expanding African network with Emirates’ extensive global reach, the partnership aims to create greater value for customers and solidify Johannesburg’s position as a key gateway for travel, trade, and tourism in Africa.
Emirates’ Commitment to South Africa
Emirates has been operating flights to South Africa since 1995, beginning with its inaugural service to Johannesburg. Over the years, the airline has expanded its operations, increasing flight frequencies and adding gateways in Cape Town and Durban. To date, Emirates has served over 20 million passengers traveling to and from South Africa. The airline currently operates 56 weekly flights across these three gateways. Notably, South Africa is the only market in Emirates’ African network to receive all three widebody aircraft types: the Boeing 777, the Airbus A380, and the A350.
As part of its commitment to providing high-quality services to travelers in South Africa, Emirates offers its award-winning Premium Economy experience on flights between Dubai and both Cape Town and Johannesburg.
Customers utilizing the new codeshare routes will benefit from convenient single-ticket bookings, coordinated schedules, and through-checked baggage to their final destinations. Tickets are available for purchase on www.emirates.com, through travel agents, or at Emirates’ retail outlets.
Published on 2026-08-05 12:04:00 • By the Editorial Desk
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