Emirates, the world’s largest international airline and South African Airways (SAA), are expanding their strategic cooperation with enhancements to its codeshare agreement, opening up new destinations for both Emirates and SAA customers.

Pending governmental approval, SAA and Emirates have signed an enhanced commercial partnership which will see the relationship between the two carriers grow and strengthen their already successful codeshare agreement signed in 1997, across a wide spectrum of commercial and customer touch points.

“This agreement marks a significant forward step in the execution of our strategy and in transforming our business. It will enable us to explore and leverage synergies between ourselves in a much more enhanced relationship of mutual benefit. Our route network and that of Emirates complement one another. The expansion of our partnership will further strengthen key focus areas of the implementation of our turnaround plan,” says SAA CEO Vuyani Jarana.

Emirates carries business and leisure travellers from around the world to destination South Africa via its Dubai hub, connecting South Africa with 121 destinations throughout its international network.

In FY 2017/18, Emirates carried over 1.7 million passengers to and from its three points in South Africa, and over 61,800 tonnes of high-value cargo, including seafood, fruits and vegetables, fresh and frozen meats, wine, pharmaceuticals and gold.