The Airline’s A380 Conducts Record-Setting Flyby

On September 1, Emirates celebrated their return to daily service in South Africa with a flyby. This marks several milestones for both the airline and the African nation.

“Tonight’s record-setting flypast is a powerful display of our unwavering commitment to South Africa,” stated Afzal Parambil, Emirates’ Southern Africa Country Manager. “It represents not just an achievement of technical excellence, but encapsulates our ongoing partnership with key stakeholders in South Africa.”

The flyby was conducted 500 ft above Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg, South Africa. Over 60,000 spectators filled the stadium at the time awaiting the kickoff of the Springboks vs All Blacks test match. The Emirates A380 departed from O.R. Tambo International Airport at 16:00 and arrived at the stadium just in time to follow South Africa and New Zealand’s national anthems. This was not only South Africa’s first-ever A380 flyby, but was also Emirates' first low-altitude demonstration on the continent.

UAE Captain Mubarak Al Mheiri, an A380 Deputy Chief Pilot, commanded the flight. He has flown with Emirates for nearly 20 years, competing 7,200 hours in the A380. The event was not his first rodeo, or flyby, having led UAE National Day celebrations for the past four years. Captain Mubarak also headlined the commercial aircraft formation flyby at last year’s Dubai Air Show.

The celebration marked the long-awaited return of Emirates’ second daily A380 service on the Dubai-Johannesburg route. This specific flight, EK761, departs Dubai at 04:05, landing in Johannesburg at 10:15. Its return flight, EK762, takes off at 13:25 and touches down in Dubai at 23:45. This schedule allows travelers to catch their connections to European, Middle Eastern, and far Eastern destinations.

The international airline has been established in South Africa for 29 years, connecting over 20 million travelers to their destinations.

“We look forward to the next 30 years, and beyond, of serving South Africa and spotlighting its many attractions to the world,” continued Parambil.

FMI: www.emirates.com