Emirates and South African Airways (SAA) have expanded their long-standing partnership with the launch of a reciprocal codeshare agreement, adding nine new destinations across South Africa and neighbouring countries.
The expanded agreement allows Emirates to place its flight code on SAA-operated services for the first time, significantly extending the Dubai-based carrier’s reach across southern and central Africa. Until now, the partnership had been one-way, with SAA codesharing on Emirates flights between Dubai and Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, while offering onward connections to 68 destinations via Emirates’ global network.
Under the new arrangement, Emirates customers will gain seamless access to:
- Domestic South Africa: Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth (via Johannesburg);
- Regional Africa: Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Gaborone (Botswana), Windhoek (Namibia), Lusaka (Zambia), Harare and Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe).
Passengers travelling on the new codeshare services will benefit from single-ticket bookings, coordinated flight schedules and through-checked baggage to their final destination.
Emirates Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim said the agreement reflects the airline’s long-term commitment to the region.
“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. It reinforces our long-term commitment to South Africa and our confidence in the continent’s continued growth.”
SAA Acting Group Chief Executive Officer Matshela Seshibe described the reciprocal agreement as a significant step in the airline’s strategy to strengthen African connectivity while improving access to global markets.
The two airlines have partnered for almost 30 years, making it one of the longest-standing commercial partnerships in Emirates’ network. Since the relationship began in 1997, millions of passengers have travelled on combined itineraries linking South Africa with destinations around the world.
Emirates currently operates 56 weekly flights to Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, and South Africa remains the only destination in its African network served by all three of its widebody aircraft types: the Airbus A350, Airbus A380 and Boeing 777. The airline also offers its Premium Economy cabin on services to both Johannesburg and Cape Town.
The expanded partnership is expected to further strengthen Johannesburg’s role as a key aviation hub for southern Africa while improving connectivity for both leisure and business travellers across the continent.