Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, is significantly enhancing its presence across Africa, introducing additional flights to key destinations like Entebbe in Uganda, Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, and Johannesburg in South Africa. This expansion comes as part of Emirates’ ongoing strategy to cater to the increasing demand for air travel across the African continent.
Since its first African flight to Cairo in 1986, Emirates has continuously expanded its operations across Africa, now serving 20 passenger and cargo destinations on the continent. This growth is part of the airline’s broader mission to improve connectivity and foster the development of the African air transport market.
Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, explained, “Africa has always been a priority for Emirates. As we continue to grow, we are deepening our focus on this region, which plays a crucial role in our long-term network strategy. Expanding our services to Uganda, South Africa, and Ethiopia will provide essential links, using Dubai as a vital gateway to emerging markets in Asia and the Middle East.”
Emirates’ commitment to the region over the years has not just been about increasing flight frequencies but also about building strategic partnerships with local governments, tourism boards, and airline partners. These collaborations have helped nurture Africa’s aviation and tourism sectors, unlocking new potential for the industry.
Increasing Connectivity to Meet Demand
Starting October 27, Emirates increased its service to Uganda, offering daily flights from Dubai to Entebbe, up from five times a week. Operated with a Boeing 777-300ER, this new frequency adds 718 seats every week, offering passengers more opportunities to travel between Dubai and Entebbe. The addition also provides connections to popular destinations like Canada, the US, India, and the UK, among others. Emirates is the only airline offering First Class services on the Entebbe-Dubai route, giving passengers access to its luxurious services, including gourmet meals, premium beverages, and one of the largest screens in the sky.
This expansion builds on Emirates’ two-decade relationship with Uganda, a growing tourist destination. At the 2024 Arabian Travel Market, the airline signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Uganda Tourism Board to promote the country’s rich natural and cultural attractions to international travelers.
From January 1, 2025, Emirates will also introduce daily flights between Dubai and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, catering to the increasing number of visitors to the country. With a goal to position Ethiopia as one of Africa’s top five tourist destinations by 2025, this increased frequency will make it easier for travelers from the Middle East and Far East to explore the country’s offerings.
On March 1, 2025, Emirates will add a fourth daily flight to Johannesburg, introducing a morning service to South Africa’s busiest international airport. This flight addition will restore Emirates’ pre-pandemic flight levels, with a total of 49 weekly flights to South Africa, one of the airline’s most popular destinations in Africa.
Once these additional flights are operational, Emirates will offer 161 weekly flights connecting African cities with Dubai, boosting the airline’s footprint in the region.
Enhancing Network and Partnerships
Emirates’ network in Africa spans 17 countries and includes more than 210 regional points, thanks to its codeshare and interline partnerships. For example, the airline’s interline agreement with Royal Air Maroc offers passengers access to 18 domestic destinations in Morocco, including Fez, Tangiers, and Marrakech. Emirates’ partnership with South Africa’s Cemair allows travelers to visit exclusive leisure destinations like Margate and Plettenberg Bay, while its collaboration with Pro Flight Zambia offers access to Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park, a top safari destination.
Earlier this month, Emirates resumed its direct daily flights to Lagos, Nigeria, reconnecting the city to its global network. Emirates is one of only two airlines offering First Class service on the Lagos-Dubai route, enhancing its premium travel options for Nigerian passengers.
Boosting Cargo Capacity
The expansion also benefits Emirates SkyCargo, which will see increased capacity as a result of the additional passenger flights. These new services complement Emirates’ existing freighter operations, which transport goods from Africa to global markets. Emirates SkyCargo’s ability to deploy additional freighters as needed ensures that demand is met efficiently, particularly from key African markets like Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban. With more freighter deliveries expected through 2026, the airline is well-positioned for future growth in both passenger and cargo operations.
Travelers can now book their tickets for these new flights through various platforms, including Emirates’ website, app, retail stores, contact center, and travel agents.
