Emirates will expand their service to South Africa with 28 weekly flights, and will restore their strategic partnership with South African Airways (SAA) from the end of September. The carrier is also introducing Airbus A380 service to Johannesburg from October 31, 2021.
On Wednesday (September 8, 2021), Emirates announced that with increasing demand, they will bolster their service to South Africa to 28 weekly flights. The airline will also restore their strategic partnership with South African Airways at the end of September and launch flagship A380 service to Johannesburg from October 31, 2021. The expanded schedule will be Emirates’ largest increase in weekly service to South Africa since before the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic. The added service will also bring more choices to customers wishing to visit Dubai or to connect via Dubai to the airline’s global network of over 120 destinations.
From October 31, 2021, the service ramp-up will include double-daily flights to Johannesburg, including one daily flight on Emirates’ iconic flagship Airbus A380, as well as daily flights to both Cape Town and Durban. Starting January 1st, 2022, Emirates will offer two daily A380 flights to Johannesburg, offering guests signature features such as First Class private suites, a luxurious Shower Spa, the onboard lounge and spacious Economy and Premium Economy seating. Travelers will also enjoy the industry’s largest seatback screens and over 4,500 channels on ice, the airline’s inflight entertainment network.
With the upcoming Expo Dubai, the city is preparing to welcome visitors for the world’s largest gathering which features next-generation themed pavilions, futuristic installations and a full program of daily events. Guests traveling to Dubai from South Africa must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate with a QR code issued within 48 hours of sample collection at an approved health facility. Additionally, travelers must present a rapid PCR test report with a QR code for a test conducted at the departure airport within six hours of departure. Upon arrival at Dubai International Airport, passengers will further be required to take another COVID-19 PCR test. Passengers transiting via Dubai must also comply with all destination health and safety requirements.
South African Airways (SAA) will resume operations on September 23, 2021, at which time Emirates will resume their strategic partnership with the country’s flag carrier. Emirates and South African Airways have been strategic partners since 1997, marking Emirates first codeshare agreement with another carrier. Before the pandemic, the partnership included a complementary network of 110 destinations, optimized schedules, baggage transfer and enhanced reciprocal frequent flyer benefits. With the revival of the SAA partnership, Emirates will expand their footprint across South Africa and southern Africa with four interline and codeshare partnerships including Airlink, Cemair and Flysafair, expanding their route map with 79 additional codeshare and interline cities.
Source: Emirates