Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, is making a significant move to expand its offerings to Johannesburg, South Africa. Starting March 1, 2025, they will introduce a fourth daily flight on this popular route, solidifying South Africa’s importance within their global network.
This news comes hot on the heels of Emirates’ recent launch of a second daily A380 flight between Dubai and Johannesburg, which occurred on September 1st. The new flight will be operated by a three-class Boeing 777-300ER, adding a substantial 708 more seats daily to South Africa’s busiest international airport. The outbound flight, EK767, will depart Dubai at 00:10hrs and arrive in Johannesburg at 06:20hrs, while the return flight, EK768, will depart Johannesburg at 10:15hrs and reach Dubai at 20:15hrs. This additional flight strategically provides a morning departure option from Johannesburg, enhancing travel convenience for both leisure and business travelers.
Adnan Kazim, Emirates Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, emphasized the airline’s commitment to South Africa, stating: “South Africa has long been a highly popular destination for both leisure and business travelers connecting to and through Dubai, and the fourth daily flight enables us to better serve the growing demand for travel to and from the market. We’d like to extend our thanks to the South African authorities for their partnership and support in securing this new service, which reinstates the capacity we offered South Africa pre-pandemic, with 49 weekly flights, across three gateways. As we reflect on nearly three decades of operations to the market, we remain committed to driving inbound travel to South Africa, supporting the government as they aim make tourism the leading economic contributor and vehicle for transformation, as well as encouraging more inwards investment to the country.”
This expansion not only strengthens Emirates’ connectivity to Johannesburg but also to its extensive network of over 140 destinations worldwide. The airline offers optimized schedules to popular destinations such as Dubai, Thailand, India, and key European locations including the UK, France, the Netherlands, and Germany. Travelers utilizing the expanded Johannesburg schedule can access over 60 regional points in Africa via codeshare and interline agreements with key partners.
Emirates’ long-standing partnership with South African Airways, established in 1997, allows seamless travel to all three South African gateways, including 12 additional destinations via Johannesburg. Their codeshare with Airlink expands connectivity to 44 more regional cities, while interline agreements with Cemair and FlySafair provide access to exclusive leisure destinations and domestic cities like Margate, Plettenberg Bay, Port Elizabeth, East London, and George.
This new service doesn’t just enhance passenger travel; it also significantly increases cargo capacity, offering 300 tonnes of weekly cargo space. Emirates SkyCargo will continue to transport vital goods such as fresh produce, meat, seafood, and flowers, further supporting the South African economy by connecting businesses with global markets.
Since its first flight to Johannesburg in June 1995, Emirates has become a key player in South African aviation, tourism, and trade, serving over 20 million passengers in nearly three decades. The airline’s flagship A380 aircraft now operates two daily flights from Johannesburg, delivering world-class service. On the ground, premium Emirates travelers enjoy exclusive lounges in Johannesburg and Cape Town, as well as Chauffeur Drive Service, ensuring a luxurious experience from start to finish.
