Emirates Airlines has strengthened its presence in Africa by expanding flight services to Entebbe (Uganda), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), and Johannesburg (South Africa).
This expansion highlights the airline’s commitment to the continent, enhancing travel options and fostering trade and tourism between Africa and the Middle East.
Since launching its first African route to Cairo in 1986, Emirates has steadily grown its footprint and now serves 20 destinations across the continent. With these latest additions, the airline is nearing pre-pandemic operational levels.
Uganda: Emirates has increased its service to Entebbe from five weekly flights to daily operations, adding 718 seats per week.
Operated by the Boeing 777-300ER, this expanded schedule accommodates rising demand for both business and leisure travel to and from Uganda, a growing hub for trade and tourism.
Ethiopia: In response to increasing passenger demand, Emirates has upgraded its flights to Addis Ababa to daily operations, providing Ethiopian travelers with greater connectivity to global destinations through Dubai and easier access to one of Africa’s largest economies.
South Africa: Emirates has introduced a fourth daily flight to Johannesburg, restoring its South African operations to pre-pandemic levels.
The airline now offers 49 weekly flights across Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, catering to strong demand for business and leisure travel.
The added frequency enhances flexibility for travelers and supports South Africa’s economic recovery.
Once the new frequencies are fully operational, Emirates will run a total of 161 weekly flights to African destinations, cementing its position as a key player in African aviation.
The increase in passenger flights also benefits Emirates SkyCargo operations, adding capacity for transporting goods like perishables, electronics, and pharmaceuticals.
Emirates SkyCargo complements its passenger services with eight weekly dedicated freighter flights into Africa, supporting regional trade and connecting African exporters to global markets.
Emirates’ expanded flight operations are bolstered by its robust network of codeshare and interline agreements.
With five codeshare and 18 interline partnerships across Africa, Emirates provides access to over 210 regional destinations.
These partnerships simplify travel by offering one-ticket journeys and streamlined baggage handling, enabling seamless connections to destinations not directly served by Emirates.
Emirates’ enhanced services reflect its dedication to fostering Africa’s economic growth and integration into the global economy.
By increasing both passenger and cargo capacity, the airline strengthens trade routes, enhances tourism opportunities, and provides African travelers with greater access to international markets.
With operations nearing pre-pandemic levels in several regions, Emirates continues to play a vital role in supporting Africa’s economic resilience and global connectivity.
