Minister of tourism, Lindiwe Sisulu, has announced a partnership with Emirates to assist with South Africa’s domestic airline capacity.
At a media briefing on 1 September, Silisulu revealed that after a visit to Dubai, bilateral agreements were made with the Middle Eastern airline to provide access to its domestic routes and Emirates to promote South Africa as a destination abroad.
Sisulu was reported as saying that her department views the collaboration as critical in the country’s turnaround strategy and rebuilding trust in travel to the Global South.
Bloemfontein, Hoedspruit, Port Elizabeth, Kimberley, George and East London are said to be among Fly Emirates’ new flight options.
The department is hopeful that this will fill the void left by Comair’s liquidation, with South Africa’s passenger seat capacity only 61% of pre-pandemic levels.
This could also benefit consumers, where the cost of domestic airfares has skyrocketed 7%, added Sisulu.
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