SAA & Emirates Strengthen Codeshare Partnership
The codeshare collaboration between Emirates and South African Airways (SAA) has been expanded, opening access to nine locations and initiating a reciprocal codeshare agreement between the two airlines. Customers will have easier access to more places in central and southern Africa thanks to the expanded cooperation.
In addition to six regional routes connecting Johannesburg with Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Gaborone (Botswana), Windhoek (Namibia), Lusaka (Zambia), Harare (Zimbabwe), and Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe), the expansion encompasses nine new routes, including three domestic South African links connecting Johannesburg with Cape Town, Durban, and Port Elizabeth.
Emirates and SAA have operated on a unilateral basis since the beginning of their codeshare arrangement. SAA has placed its code on flights operated by Emirates between Dubai and Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, as well as interline connectivity to 68 Emirates destinations worldwide via Dubai. With regulatory permits obtained, the new deal will let Emirates to add its code to flights operated by SAA, expanding its network farther into South Africa and surrounding nations.
In addition to six regional routes connecting Johannesburg with Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Gaborone (Botswana), Windhoek (Namibia), Lusaka (Zambia), Harare (Zimbabwe), and Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe), the expansion encompasses nine new routes, including three domestic South African links connecting Johannesburg with Cape Town, Durban, and Port Elizabeth.
The cooperation between Emirates and South African Airways is among the longest in Emirates’ portfolio, having lasted over 30 years. This codeshare expansion demonstrates the continued dedication to giving travellers from South Africa and surrounding nations more options, access, and convenience.
The action strengthens Emirates’ long-standing dedication to offering dependable, consistent connection for travellers to, from, and within South Africa and the surrounding area. Additionally, it gives clients easier access to locations throughout southern and central Africa while meeting the high demand for travel to South Africa from important foreign markets, especially throughout Europe.
Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer of Emirates stated, “By putting 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 dependability and consistency our customers expect from Emirates. It reaffirms our long-term dedication to South Africa and the larger area, as well as our faith in the continent’s continuous development.”
Matshela Seshibe, Acting Group CEO of SAA stated, “With this reciprocal codeshare agreement, customers will benefit from a more seamless travel experience and greater choice across our combined networks. There is more to this collaboration than just linking destinations. Connecting individuals, companies, and opportunities throughout the continent and beyond is its main goal. We are adding more value for our clients and strengthening Johannesburg’s position as a major hub for travel, commerce, and tourism in Africa by fusing SAA’s expanding African network with Emirates’ broad worldwide reach.”
Since its first flight to Johannesburg in 1995, Emirates has operated flights to South Africa. Since then, the airline has serviced more than 20 million passengers to and from the market, expanded operations, and added gateways and frequencies to Cape Town and Durban. At the moment, Emirates uses all three gates for 56 weekly flights. All three of the airline’s widebody aircraft models the Boeing 777, the Airbus A380, and the A350—are delivered to South Africa.
