By expanding flights to Entebbe, Uganda; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; and Johannesburg, South Africa, Emirates Airlines has bolstered its footprint throughout Africa, demonstrating the airline’s dedication to the continent. Emirates has expanded steadily since 1986, when it launched its first African route to Cairo, and currently offers passenger and cargo services to 20 African destinations. With this extension, Emirates brings its network closer to pre-pandemic operations while also expanding travel options and promoting trade and tourism between Africa and the Middle East.
Emirates has added 718 seats a week to its service in Uganda, increasing its frequency from five weekly flights to a daily operation between Dubai and Entebbe. In order to accommodate growing passenger demand and offer more convenient travel options, this daily service is run by a Boeing 777-300ER. Due to Uganda’s growing popularity as a business and leisure travel destination, this service is very beneficial. Additionally, Emirates is expanding its flights between Dubai and Addis Ababa to operate daily, giving Ethiopian travelers more connectivity to international locations via Dubai and easier access to one of Africa’s biggest economies.
Further south, Emirates is adding a fourth daily flight to Johannesburg, South Africa. This addition brings Emirates’ operations in South Africa back to pre-pandemic levels, with 49 weekly flights across three key cities: Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban. South Africa has consistently been one of Emirates’ busiest destinations in Africa, driven by high demand for both tourism and business travel. The fourth flight is expected to bolster this market, offering more flexibility and frequency for travelers while helping drive economic recovery. Once these new frequencies are activated, Emirates will operate a total of 161 weekly flights between Dubai and African destinations, positioning the airline as a significant player in the continent’s aviation landscape.
In addition to passenger service, Emirates’ expanded flights will benefit its cargo operations, Emirates SkyCargo. With the additional passenger flights, Emirates SkyCargo will increase its cargo capacity, complementing its existing eight weekly freighter flights into Africa. This added capacity will support regional trade by facilitating the transport of various goods, including perishables, electronics, and pharmaceuticals, between African countries and Dubai. Enhanced cargo services are expected to further stimulate Africa’s export markets, linking them more efficiently to destinations worldwide.
Emirates’ increased flight frequencies will also reinforce its extensive network of codeshare and interline partnerships. Through five codeshare and 18 interline agreements across Africa, Emirates offers access to over 210 regional points, enabling customers to travel seamlessly across Africa with one-ticket travel and simplified baggage processes. These partnerships expand Emirates’ reach across the continent, allowing travelers to connect to numerous destinations that Emirates does not directly serve while enjoying the convenience and efficiency associated with interline and codeshare agreements.
Overall, the expanded services demonstrate Emirates’ commitment to supporting Africa’s growth and facilitating connections between Africa and the world. By increasing both passenger and cargo flights, Emirates enhances travel options, boosts regional trade, and strengthens economic ties. The airline’s comprehensive network and strategic partnerships provide African travelers with increased access to Dubai and other global markets, underscoring Emirates’ role as a bridge between Africa and the broader international community. With the airline back to pre-pandemic service levels in several markets, Emirates continues to play a pivotal role in supporting Africa’s economic resilience and integration into the global economy.
