Honoring their commitment to South Africa, and the shared love of Rugby, Emirates delighted over 62,000 enthusiastic fans with an Airbus A380 low-level fly past over Emirates Airline Park, just before kickoff during the Springboks vs. All Backs test match.
On Sunday (September 1, 2024), Emirates announced that they have celebrated South Africa, a shared love for Rugby, and the return of a second daily Airbus A380 service on the Dubai-Johannesburg route from today with a low-level Airbus A380 fly past. The Emirates A380 took off from O.R. Tambo International Airport at 16:00 traveling at a speed of 140 knots, and arrived over the Emirates Airline Park at 16:58, delighting over 62,000 enthusiastic spectators., with the flyover perfectly timed just before kickoff of the highly-anticipated test match between Springboks and All Blacks. This was Emirates first-ever ply past in Africa, and the first international airline to do so in South Africa.
In Sunday’s announcement, Emirates’ Country Manager from Southern Africa, Afzal Parambil, said,
“Tonight’s record-setting fly-past is a powerful display of our unwavering commitment to South Africa. It represents not just an achievement of technical excellence, but encapsulates our ongoing partnership with key stakeholders in South Africa, including the Civil Aviation Authority, O.R. Tambo International Airport, Emirates Lions and, of course, the strong relationship we’ve built with our customers and travel partners here over the years. For almost three decades, we’ve unlocked an array of choices for our customers, by offering an outstanding on-ground and in-flight experience coupled with seamless global connectivity, and we’re not slowing down now. We look forward to the next 30 years, and beyond, of serving South Africa and spotlighting its many attractions to the world.”
Also commenting on the historic fly over, Ellis Park Stadium’s Managing Director, Pieter Burger, said,
“The flyover has become such a pre-match entertainment staple at the iconic Emirates Airline Park. First witnessed in 1995 at the final of the international rugby showpiece where the South African national rugby team was victorious, to have had this moment tonight against the very same opposition was a thrilling experience for fans watching at the stadium and at home.
“We are extremely grateful to our long-time partner Emirates who were pivotal towards the success of this project, together with all other role players involved. From a lasting memory perspective, this will certainly be up there for those who had the privilege to witness the moment.”
Emirates Spectacular Flyover In Johannesburg, South Africa on Sunday, September 1st, 2024 - Courtesy Emirates
The milestone flight was commanded by Mubarak Al Mheiri, Emirates’ UAE National Captain and A380 Chief Pilot, along with Captain Khalid Binsultan and Captain Abdalla Al Hammadi, both Technical Pilots for the Airbus A380 and Captain Richard Fiess, A380 Captain. Captain Mubarak has flown with Emirates foe over 19 years, including over 7,200 hours in the iconic A380.
One of the world’s largest supporters of rugby, Emirates’ investment in South Africa is headlined by their title sponsorship of the Emirates Lions, including naming rights of the team’s home stadium, Emirates Airline Park. The carrier also sponsors the Cape Town Sevens, a regular fixture on the Sevens World Series calendar. Worldwide, Emirates is at the center of the action, from grassroots to professional leagues, and has been the sponsor of the Rugby World Cup since 2007. The carrier also plans a prominent presence at the upcoming 2027 World Cup in Australia.
Emirates has served South Africa for 29 years, supporting aviation, tourism and trade, having connected over 20 million travelers to/from South Africa with connections to over 140 destinations worldwide via Dubai. Currently, the carrier offers 42 weekly flights to Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban. Additionally, Emirates offers additional regional connectivity across South Africa through their codeshare and interline partners, South Africa Airways, Airlink, Cemair, and FlySafair.
Source: Emirates
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