Emirates and South African Airways (SAA) have expanded their longstanding codeshare partnership, adding nine routes across southern and central Africa and moving to a reciprocal codeshare arrangement for the first time.
The agreement gives Emirates customers access to SAA-operated domestic and regional services from Johannesburg, while strengthening connections between Emirates’ global network via Dubai and destinations across Africa.
Nine routes added to Emirates network
Under the expanded agreement, Emirates will place its code on three SAA domestic routes from Johannesburg to Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth, as well as six regional services.
The international connections link Johannesburg with Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gaborone in Botswana, Windhoek in Namibia, Lusaka in Zambia, and Harare and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
Previously, the codeshare operated on a unilateral basis, with SAA placing its code on Emirates flights between Dubai and Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. SAA customers also had interline access to 68 Emirates destinations via Dubai.
With regulatory approvals secured, the reciprocal arrangement extends Emirates’ reach through SAA’s African network.
Single-ticket connections across Africa
Passengers using the new codeshare routes will have access to single-ticket bookings, coordinated schedules and through-checked baggage to their final destination, providing simpler connections for international travellers continuing beyond Emirates’ South African gateways.
Emirates Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim said the agreement was a natural evolution of the airlines’ relationship.
“By placing our code on SAA’s domestic and regional network, we are opening seamless access to destinations across South Africa and neighbouring countries,” Kazim said.
SAA Acting Group CEO Matshela Seshibe said combining the carrier’s African network with Emirates’ international reach would also reinforce Johannesburg’s role as a gateway for tourism, travel and trade.
Partnership approaches three decades
Emirates and SAA have worked together since 1997, making the relationship one of the longest-running partnerships in Emirates’ portfolio.
Emirates currently operates 56 weekly flights across Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. South Africa is also the only market in its African network served by all three of its widebody aircraft types: the Boeing 777, Airbus A380 and Airbus A350.
The expanded codeshare provides travel advisors with additional through-ticketing options for clients travelling into South Africa and onwards to regional destinations, while also broadening SAA’s connection to Emirates’ international network.
