Emirates and South African Airways Expand Codeshare Partnership

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Emirates and South African Airways (SAA) have announced an expansion of their long-standing codeshare partnership, opening access to nine additional cities across South Africa and central and southern Africa.

The expanded agreement marks the beginning of a reciprocal codeshare partnership, allowing Emirates to place its code on SAA-operated flights for the first time. The move gives travellers greater choice, simpler connections and improved access to destinations across the region.

Nine New Routes Added to the Partnership

The expanded codeshare covers nine routes, including three domestic South African connections. These link Johannesburg with Cape Town, Durban and Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth).

Six regional routes will also connect Johannesburg with destinations across central and southern Africa:

• Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
• Gaborone, Botswana
• Windhoek, Namibia
• Lusaka, Zambia
• Harare, Zimbabwe
• Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

The new routes extend Emirates’ reach beyond its existing South African network and make it easier for international travellers to connect with destinations throughout the continent.

Nearly 30 Years of Emirates and SAA Partnership

Emirates and SAA have worked together for almost 30 years, making the relationship one of the longest-standing partnerships in Emirates’ portfolio.

Since 1997, millions of passengers have benefited from the partnership and the convenience of single-ticket travel. Until now, the codeshare operated on a unilateral basis, with SAA placing its code on Emirates flights between Dubai and Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. Customers could also access 68 Emirates destinations worldwide through Dubai.

Following regulatory approvals, the new reciprocal agreement will allow Emirates to place its code on SAA-operated domestic and regional flights.

Adnan Kazim, Emirates Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, said the expanded agreement represents a natural evolution of the partnership.

“By placing our code on SAA’s domestic and regional network, we are opening up seamless access to destinations across South Africa and neighbouring countries, backed by the reliability and consistency our customers expect from Emirates.”

Matshela Seshibe, Acting Group CEO of SAA, said the partnership supports the airline’s strategy to strengthen connectivity across Africa while improving access to international markets.

“By combining SAA’s growing African network with Emirates’ extensive global reach, we are creating greater value for our customers and reinforcing Johannesburg’s role as a key gateway for travel, trade and tourism in Africa.”

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Emirates Strengthens Its South African Network

Emirates has operated flights to South Africa since 1995, when it launched its inaugural service to Johannesburg.

The airline has since expanded its South African operations to include Cape Town and Durban. Today, Emirates operates 56 weekly flights across the three gateways and has carried more than 20 million passengers to and from the South African market.

South Africa is also the only destination on Emirates’ African network to receive all three of the airline’s widebody aircraft types: the Boeing 777, Airbus A380 and Airbus A350.

Emirates’ award-winning Premium Economy cabin is also available on flights between Dubai and Johannesburg, as well as Dubai and Cape Town.

More Convenient Travel Across Africa

Travellers using the new Emirates and SAA codeshare routes will benefit from single-ticket bookings, coordinated schedules and through-checked baggage to their final destination.

The expanded partnership is expected to support growing demand for travel to South Africa from international markets, particularly Europe, while giving travellers greater access to destinations across central and southern Africa.

Tickets for the new codeshare routes are available through Emirates’ website, SAA’s website, travel agents and Emirates retail stores.

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