CAPE TOWN— Emirates (EK) has officially launched its third daily service between Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Cape Town International Airport (CPT), marking another major expansion of its South African network.
The inaugural arrival of flight EK778 also introduced the airline’s newest Airbus A350 to South Africa for the first time.
The additional frequency strengthens Emirates’ presence in the country while giving travelers greater flexibility and improved connections through Dubai.
Alongside the new Cape Town service, the airline has also restored its fourth daily Johannesburg service, increasing its South African schedule to 56 weekly flights across three gateways.
Emirates’ Cape Town Expansion Strategy
The arrival of Emirates’ Airbus A350 represents an important milestone for the airline’s Southern African operations.
The aircraft joins the carrier’s all-widebody fleet and offers passengers upgraded cabin interiors, improved onboard technology, and greater comfort across every travel class.
The deployment also expands access to Emirates’ Premium Economy cabin in South Africa. Introduced in the market during 2025, the product has continued to attract strong passenger demand, prompting the airline to increase availability on one of its busiest African routes.
According to Emirates, the third daily service reflects sustained demand for travel between Dubai and Cape Town.
The additional frequency provides more convenient schedules for both leisure and business travelers while improving onward connections to destinations across Asia, the Middle East, and Australasia through the airline’s Dubai hub.
South Africa Network Enhancement
The latest expansion extends beyond Cape Town. Emirates reinstated its fourth daily Johannesburg service on July 1, bringing its South African operation to a consistent 56 weekly flights from Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban.
Johannesburg also benefits from additional capacity through the deployment of a second Airbus A380 during the seasonal travel period.
Flight pair EK761 and EK762 now operate with a refurbished A380 featuring the airline’s latest cabin products, including Premium Economy and upgraded interiors.
With the latest fleet changes, South Africa becomes the only African market served by all three Emirates passenger aircraft types currently in operation: the Airbus A350, Airbus A380, and retrofitted Boeing 777.
This diversified fleet allows the airline to better match passenger demand while maintaining a consistent onboard experience.
Cargo And Tourism Expansion
The expanded schedule is expected to benefit both tourism and international trade.
Earlier this year, Emirates signed an agreement with Wesgro to promote tourism and investment in Cape Town and the Western Cape by attracting more visitors from key markets, including the Gulf region, India, and the Far East.
Higher flight frequencies also increase cargo capacity between South Africa and global markets. Emirates SkyCargo transports major South African exports such as fresh fruit, vegetables, seafood, dairy products, chilled meat, and fresh flowers through Dubai to destinations worldwide.
By combining additional passenger services with increased freight capacity, Emirates continues to strengthen South Africa’s international connectivity while supporting tourism, business travel, and export growth.
The latest network expansion further reinforces Cape Town’s role as one of the airline’s most strategically important destinations in Africa.
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