Emirates and South African Airways have agreed to broaden their long-standing partnership with plans for a reciprocal codeshare arrangement that aims to streamline travel ahead of the peak season.
Under the enhanced agreement, Emirates passengers flying from Johannesburg will be able to connect to domestic destinations such as Cape Town, Durban and Gqeberha, along with thirteen regional points across Africa. The partnership will also channel long-haul traffic from the UK and US into South Africa.
South African Airways travellers will continue to access Dubai on Emirates flights from three South African gateways, linking them to 68 global destinations. Since January, 45,000 passengers have travelled using the existing arrangement.
The memorandum of understanding was signed at the 2025 Dubai Airshow by Adnan Kazim, Emirates Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, and Professor M. John Lamola, Group Chief Executive Officer of South African Airways. Both sides said the agreement deepens their nearly three-decade relationship and supports South Africa’s position as a growing aviation hub. The MoU also paves the way for more cooperation in loyalty programmes, cargo services and network planning.
Emirates separately announced a third daily flight between Dubai and Cape Town starting 1 July 2026. Operated by a Boeing 777, the new service will add more than 600 seats per day on one of the airline’s busiest African routes and improve onward connectivity to Asia and Europe.
Marking 30 years in the South African market, Emirates noted its continued investment through additional Johannesburg services and the deployment of its first retrofitted Boeing 777 in Africa, featuring upgraded cabins and Premium Economy seating.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
