27 March 2008 

Dubai:  South African Airways (SAA) said it has enhanced its route schedule from Dubai to South Africa by extending its code-share agreement to cover daily Emirates flights from Dubai to Cape Town from March 30.

The airline said its customers will be able to book on SAA flight numbers on the new route operated by Emirates.

"This agreement further demonstrates SAA's commitment to provide our customers in the Middle East, especially in the UAE, with more choices and greater flexibility for travel between Dubai and Cape Town," said Rajendran Vellapalath, SAA's Middle East manager.

He said the expansion of the code-share agreement reflects the "long-standing partnership" between Emirates and South African Airways.

SAA currently has a code-share agreement with Emirates on its three times-a-day flights to Johannesburg from Dubai.

"With the introduction of this new code share to Cape Town, SAA will have approximately 1,900 seats of combined capacity per week in each direction between Johannesburg and Cape Town from Dubai. Much of the demand for the service is expected to come from the expanding South African community that live and work in the Gulf," Rajendran added.

There are currently over 100,000 South Africans living in the Gulf region, out of which over 30,000 live in the UAE.

Members of the Voyager and Emirates frequent flyer programme, Skywards, will be able to accrue and redeem miles when they fly on the code share flights. Business class passengers of SAA can also enjoy the lounge access and all other benefits.

Tourism
Visitors welcomed

Speaking at an event on Monday evening in Dubai, South African consul general Agnes Nyamande Pitso said South Africa is keen to attract more Arab tourists.

"The direct air link between Dubai and Cape Town will further facilitate the ties between the UAE and South Africa especially in the tourism and business sector. This achievement is timely as South Africa prepares to host the first ever Soccer World Cup Tournament on the African continent in 2010, which will lead to an increase in travel demand," he said.

By Staff Reporter 

Gulf News 2008. All rights reserved.