Relations between the UAE and South Africa are set to strengthen with prospects of increased economic and trade activity, as Dubai-based carrier, Emirates, added four additional flights to its existing double-daily Johannesburg service.
Emirates, one of the fastest-growing global airlines will introduce its third daily flight to the South African city every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. The additional frequencies will be operated by a two-class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft offering 42 business and 385 economy class seats together with industry-leading comforts such as mood lighting to minimise jet lag, and ICE – the Emirates’ pioneered information, communication and entertainment system offering 600 channels of entertainment.
Nasser bin Kherbash, Emirates’ Senior Vice President Commercial Operations Africa said: “There is a strong and growing demand for convenient air travel connections between South Africa and cities in the Middle East.”
“An ideal staging post for business ventures, the UAE and in particular Dubai stands connected to bigger markets beyond with Emirates’ 158 weekly flights to 12 key Middle Eastern gateways.”
South African exports to the UAE, its 22nd largest export destination, comprise gold, metals, steel, minerals and foodstuff, and have been growing annually at 40 per cent to touch Dhs 2.04 billion (Rand 3.98 billion) in 2006.
In the reverse direction, the UAE’s exports to South Africa, comprising machinery, transportation equipment, electronic and home appliances have grown at nearly 50 per cent per year.
“South Africa, one of the top holiday destinations for UAE’s leisure travellers, offers outstandingly beautiful scenery, spectacular wildlife parks with big game opportunities, top-of-the-line holiday resorts such as the Lost City and Sun City, and very good shopping – attributes that appeal to UAE-based travellers,” added Orhan Abbas, Emirates’ Regional Manager Southern Africa.
Likewise, Dubai has become a major attraction for South Africans visiting the emirate. In 2006, over 81,000 South African visitors stayed at Dubai’s hotels, bearing testimony to this trend.