Emirates and South African Airways expand codeshare network
Emirates and South African Airways have expanded their codeshare partnership, enabling access to nine destinations across central and southern Africa, simplifying connectivity for customers. The expanded partnership enables Emirates to place its code on SAA-operated flights for the first time, following regulatory approval.
It builds on the airlines' existing unilateral codeshare agreement, under which SAA placed its code on Emirates flights between Dubai, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, while also offering interline access to 68 Emirates destinations via Dubai.
Nine routes added to the network
The expansion covers nine new routes including three domestic South African links connecting Johannesburg with Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth, in addition to six regional routes linking Johannesburg with Kinshasa, Gaborone, Windhoek, Lusaka, Harare and Victoria Falls.
The expansion gives Emirates customers greater access to destinations within South Africa and neighbouring countries through a single booking, while strengthening links across southern and central Africa.
Long-standing partnership grows
Emirates and South African Airways have partnered for almost 30 years, marking one of the longest partnerships in Emirates’ portfolio. This extension to the codeshare underscores the ongoing commitment to providing greater access, convenience and choices to travellers from South Africa and neighbouring countries.
The move builds on Emirates’ longstanding commitment to providing reliable, consistent connectivity for passengers travelling to, from and within South Africa and the broader region. It also responds to strong demand for travel to South Africa from key international markets, particularly across Europe, while improving access to destinations across the region.
Focus on regional connectivity
Adnan Kazim, Emirates Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer: "This reciprocal codeshare partnership with South African Airways is a natural evolution of a relationship that has served our customers well for many years. 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, backed by the reliability and consistency our customers expect from Emirates. It reinforces our long-term commitment to South Africa and wider region, and our confidence in the continent's continued growth."
Matshela Seshibe, Acting Group CEO of SAA: "The expansion of our partnership with Emirates marks an important milestone in SAA's strategy to strengthen connectivity across Africa while enhancing access to global markets. Through this reciprocal codeshare agreement, customers will benefit from a more seamless travel experience and greater choice across our combined networks. This partnership is about more than connecting destinations. It is about connecting people, businesses and opportunities across the continent and beyond. By combining SAA's growing African network with Emirates' extensive global reach, we are creating greater value for our customers and reinforcing Johannesburg's role as a key gateway for travel, trade and tourism in Africa."
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