Emirates and South African Airways (SAA) have expanded their longstanding codeshare partnership, opening easier connections between Emirates’ global network and key destinations across Southern Africa.

Announced on 5 August 2026, the reciprocal agreement will allow Emirates to place its code on selected SAA-operated services from Johannesburg. Of particular significance to the Africa’s Eden region are connections to Gaborone in Botswana, Windhoek in Namibia, Lusaka in Zambia, and both Harare and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

The expanded codeshare also includes SAA’s Johannesburg–Kinshasa service and domestic South African routes linking Johannesburg with Cape Town, Durban and Gqeberha.

For international travellers, the agreement provides the convenience of booking connecting journeys on a single ticket, with coordinated schedules and baggage checked through to the final destination. It also gives travel planners greater flexibility when packaging multi-country itineraries across the region.

The partnership combines Emirates’ extensive international network through Dubai with SAA’s growing African route network and Johannesburg’s established role as a regional aviation hub. It is expected to strengthen access from important long-haul markets, particularly Europe, while making onward travel into Southern Africa simpler and more convenient.

Emirates Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim described the reciprocal agreement as a natural evolution of a partnership that has served travellers for almost 30 years. SAA Acting Group CEO Matshela Seshibe said the expansion would strengthen connectivity across Africa while providing travellers with greater choice and improved access to global markets.

Reliable and well-integrated air access remains essential to the continued growth of tourism across Southern Africa. By improving connections to Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, the expanded partnership supports not only individual destinations, but the development of more connected regional itineraries that encourage travellers to experience more than one country.

The new codeshare routes are now available to book through Emirates, South African Airways and travel agents.