Amanze Chinonye
Emirates has expanded its long-standing partnership with South African Airways (SAA), broadening its reach across Southern and Central Africa through a reciprocal codeshare agreement that also supports the South African carrier’s post-restructuring growth strategy.
The agreement allows Emirates to place its flight code on SAA-operated services for the first time, extending its network to nine additional destinations through Johannesburg without deploying additional aircraft. The move also gives SAA greater access to Emirates’ global network, enhancing its international connectivity.
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Under the expanded arrangement, Emirates customers can book onward travel from Johannesburg to Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth in South Africa, as well as Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gaborone in Botswana, Windhoek in Namibia, Lusaka in Zambia, and Harare and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
Passengers will be able to travel on a single ticket with coordinated schedules and through-checked baggage.
The agreement transforms what had previously been a one-way commercial arrangement. Until now, SAA placed its code on Emirates-operated flights between Dubai and Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, with onward access to 68 destinations across the Emirates network.
Following regulatory approvals, Emirates can now market seats on selected SAA-operated domestic and regional services.
The airlines said the expanded partnership builds on a relationship established in 1997, during which millions of passengers have travelled across their combined networks. It is one of Emirates’ longest-standing airline partnerships.
Emirates Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim said the reciprocal codeshare would improve access to destinations across South Africa and neighbouring countries while reinforcing the airline’s long-term commitment to the region.
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SAA Acting Group Chief Executive Officer Matshela Seshibe said the agreement aligns with the airline’s strategy to strengthen connectivity across Africa while expanding access to global markets through Emirates’ international network. He added that the partnership would support travel, trade and tourism by linking SAA’s regional services with one of the world’s largest international airline networks.
The expansion comes as airlines increasingly rely on commercial partnerships to grow their networks and improve connectivity without launching additional routes. It also reflects rising demand for travel to South Africa, particularly from Europe, while enhancing access to destinations across Southern and Central Africa.
Emirates has served South Africa since 1995 and currently operates 56 weekly flights to Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.
South Africa is the only destination in the airline’s African network served by all three of its widebody aircraft types the Boeing 777, Airbus A380 and Airbus A350.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
