Emirates and South African Airways expand reciprocal codeshare partnership

International

Enhanced agreement adds nine destinations and strengthens connectivity across southern and central Africa

Emirates and South African Airways (SAA) have expanded their long-standing partnership with the launch of a reciprocal codeshare agreement. The enhanced collaboration adds nine new destinations to the joint network, giving travellers seamless access to more cities across South Africa and neighbouring countries through a single booking.

Nine new destinations added

Under the expanded agreement, Emirates will place its code on SAA-operated flights for the first time, extending its reach beyond its existing gateways in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.

The new codeshare covers three domestic routes linking Johannesburg with Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth, as well as six regional services to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gaborone in Botswana, Windhoek in Namibia, Lusaka in Zambia, Harare and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

The reciprocal arrangement follows the completion of the required regulatory approvals and marks a new phase in a partnership that has existed for nearly three decades.

Nearly 30 years of cooperation

Emirates and South African Airways have worked together since 1997, making it one of the Dubai-based carrier's longest-standing airline partnerships. During that time, millions of passengers have travelled on combined itineraries using a single ticket and coordinated connections.

“This reciprocal codeshare partnership with South African Airways is a natural evolution of a relationship that has served our customers well for many years,” said Adnan Kazim, Emirates Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer. “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.”

Strengthening Africa's air connectivity

SAA says the expanded agreement supports its strategy of improving regional connectivity while enhancing links with international markets through Emirates' global network.

“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,” said Matshela Seshibe, Acting Group CEO of South African Airways. “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.”

Emirates continues to expand in South Africa

Emirates has served South Africa since 1995 and has carried more than 20 million passengers to and from the country. The airline currently operates 56 weekly flights to Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, making South Africa the only destination in its African network served by all three of its widebody aircraft types: the Boeing 777, Airbus A380 and Airbus A350.

Passengers travelling on the new codeshare routes will benefit from coordinated schedules, through-checked baggage and single-ticket bookings, providing smoother onward connections throughout southern and central Africa.