EMIRATES, the world’s largest international airline, made history in South Africa with a stunning low-level flypast of its iconic A380 aircraft over Johannesburg’s Emirates Airline Park. The event, which coincided with the highly anticipated Springboks vs. All Blacks rugby match, marked three significant milestones: the return of Emirates’ second daily A380 service on the Dubai-Johannesburg route, the first-ever A380 flypast in South Africa, and Emirates’ first aerial showcase in Africa.
The Emirates A380, the world’s largest commercial passenger aircraft, took off from O.R. Tambo International Airport at 16:00, flying at just 500 feet above the ground to perform the flypast over the stadium. The meticulously timed display was a collaboration between multiple teams, including Emirates pilots, the South African Civil Aviation Authority, and O.R. Tambo International Airport. The aircraft’s arrival was perfectly synchronised with the national anthems of South Africa and New Zealand, thrilling over 62,000 spectators.
The flypast was led by UAE National Captain Mubarak Al Mheiri, along with a skilled crew of Emirates A380 pilots. Captain Mubarak, who has flown with Emirates for 19 years and has over 7,200 hours of experience on the A380, has commanded similar flypasts in the UAE, including during the Dubai Air Show and Expo 2020.
‘This flypast is a powerful demonstration of our commitment to South Africa,’ said Afzal Parambil, Emirates’ Country Manager for Southern Africa. ‘It represents not just technical excellence but also the strong partnerships we’ve built in South Africa over the years. We look forward to continuing our legacy of service and connectivity for the next 30 years and beyond.’
The event also celebrated the return of Emirates’ second A380 service on the Dubai-Johannesburg route, offering travellers enhanced options with the airline’s world-class service and onboard products. The reintroduced flight, EK761, departs Dubai at 04:05, arriving in Johannesburg at 10:15, with the return flight, EK762, departing at 13:25 and reaching Dubai at 23:45, providing seamless connections to destinations across the Far East, Europe, and the Middle East.
Pieter Burger, Managing Director of Ellis Park Stadium, highlighted the significance of the flypast: ‘The flyover has become a pre-match entertainment staple at Emirates Airline Park. Tonight’s display was a thrilling experience for fans both in the stadium and at home. We are grateful to Emirates for their pivotal role in making this moment unforgettable.’
The flypast underscored Emirates’ deep-rooted connection to South African rugby. The airline is a long-time sponsor of the Emirates Lions and holds the naming rights to Emirates Airline Park. Emirates also supports the Cape Town Sevens, a major event in the Sevens World Series that draws over 100,000 spectators annually.
Emirates has been a significant partner in South African aviation, tourism, and trade for nearly three decades. The airline connects over 20 million travellers between South Africa and more than 140 destinations worldwide, with 42 weekly flights to Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban. Emirates also offers regional connectivity through partnerships with South African Airways, Airlink, Cemair, and FlySafair.
As Emirates continues to strengthen its presence in South Africa, the airline’s commitment to excellence in aviation and support for local sports remains as strong as ever.
