The daily A380 service will start October 1.
The announcement of Emirates’ first scheduled A380 service to Africa comes as the airline revealed a surge in the number of South African travellers flying with Emirates – with total passenger growth up 12 per cent over the previous financial year. Overall revenue from the South African market also rose sharply, up 34 per cent from 2009-10.
The year that saw South Africa host the highly successful 2010 FIFA World Cup also saw Emirates record a huge rise in inbound traffic to South Africa – with passenger volumes up 20 per cent in the calendar year 2010. As an official FIFA Partner, Emirates helped to bring the world to South Africa by flying in football fans from across its network of six continents.
“We have enjoyed a successful partnership with South Africa since launching services in 1995, and now connect our Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban gateways to our vast global network through 42 non-stop flights each week to Dubai,” said Tim Clark, president Emirates Airline.
The 489-seat Emirates A380 offers 14 Private First Class Suites, 76 lie-flat beds in Business Class and 399 seats in Economy Class. First Class passengers have access to two onboard shower spas, while all premium passengers on the upper deck can socialise at 40,000 feet in the onboard lounge. Beverages and bar snacks are served once the aircraft reaches cruising altitude - all the way until descent.
The A380 service will operate daily as EK 761, departing Dubai at 0440hrs (local time) and arriving at O R Tambo International Airport at 1050hrs (local). The return flight, EK762, departs Johannesburg at 1410hrs (local) and arrives in Dubai at 0010hrs (local) the following day.
The new A380 service will also help to support the thriving trade relationship between South Africa and the UAE, which has enjoyed an average year-on-year growth of eight per cent since 2007.
Emirates currently operates a three times daily service to Johannesburg, a double-daily service to Cape Town and a daily service to Durban.
Emirates currently serves 19 passenger and cargo destinations across the African continent
