Emirates adds 14 Dubai-Durban flights for December and January 2027 travel rush

Emirates Dubai-Durban flights are set to increase during the festive season, with the airline adding 14 services between December 2026 and January 2027 to accommodate rising passenger demand. The additional flights will provide more options for travellers visiting family and friends, planning year-end holidays or connecting to international destinations through Dubai.

Announced on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the expanded schedule will introduce a second daily service between Dubai and Durban during two specific travel periods: December 17 to 23, 2026, and January 2 to 8, 2027.

The additional services will operate alongside Emirates’ existing daily flights, EK775 and EK776, which will continue according to their regular schedules. The new flights will use a three-class Boeing 777 aircraft, adding capacity during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

The move reflects the airline’s efforts to respond to seasonal demand while strengthening connectivity between the United Arab Emirates and South Africa. It is also expected to benefit passengers travelling through Dubai to destinations across Emirates’ international network.

Emirates adds second daily Dubai-Durban service

Emirates will operate the additional flights during two peak periods when demand for international travel typically increases. The first period runs from December 17 to December 23, 2026, covering the lead-up to the Christmas and New Year holidays. The second period runs from January 2 to January 8, 2027, when many travellers return from festive breaks or begin new journeys.

The additional services will operate under flight numbers EK2535 and EK2536.

The new outbound service, EK2535, will depart Dubai at 4am and arrive in Durban at 10.30am. The return flight, EK2536, will leave Durban at 12.15pm and arrive in Dubai at 10.30pm.

These services will operate in addition to the airline’s existing daily flights, giving passengers greater flexibility when selecting departure dates and planning connections.

The three-class Boeing 777 configuration will provide different cabin options for eligible passengers, depending on the aircraft’s specific seating configuration.

The expanded schedule is particularly relevant for travellers visiting relatives during the festive period, South African residents living abroad and international tourists planning holidays during the Southern Hemisphere’s summer season.

Passengers should check the operating dates and availability of individual services before booking, as the additional flights will not operate throughout the entire December-January period.

Flight timings for the additional services

The additional flights will follow the schedule below:

• Flight EK2535: Departs Dubai at 4am and arrives in Durban at 10.30am.
• Flight EK2536: Departs Durban at 12.15pm and arrives in Dubai at 10.30pm.
• Aircraft: Three-class Boeing 777.
• First operating period: December 17–23, 2026.
• Second operating period: January 2–8, 2027.

All timings are as reported by the airline and should be reconfirmed on the ticket or Emirates’ official booking platform before travel.

The added frequency is designed to give customers more departure choices during the selected dates without replacing the existing daily services.

More international connections through Dubai

The additional Dubai-Durban flights will also expand access to Emirates’ global network of more than 140 destinations through its Dubai hub, according to the airline.

Dubai serves as a major connecting point for passengers travelling between Africa, Asia, Europe and other international markets. Additional capacity on the Durban route can create more opportunities for travellers to connect to onward services, subject to flight schedules, seat availability and transit requirements.

Emirates identified Dubai, Thailand, Indonesia, India, France and the United Kingdom among the popular destinations for travellers departing from Durban during December.

For passengers planning international holidays, the increased frequency could provide more flexibility when coordinating onward flights. Travellers may be able to choose from additional departure dates or find connections that better match their preferred travel schedules.

The availability of suitable connections will depend on the timing of onward flights and the time required for transit at Dubai International Airport. Passengers should therefore check the complete itinerary before purchasing separate tickets or arranging onward transport.

The expanded schedule may also benefit travellers from other South African regions who use Durban as their departure point, although their overall journey will depend on domestic transport arrangements and connecting services.

Additional capacity supports Durban tourism

Emirates said the additional flights would help support Durban’s tourism sector by improving access to the South African coastal city during the festive season.

Durban attracted approximately 1.2 million visitors during the previous festive season, according to the report. Its beaches, warm summer weather, cultural attractions and entertainment events make it a popular destination during the year-end holiday period.

The city’s seasonal appeal is particularly relevant to travellers from the Northern Hemisphere, where December and January fall during winter. Visitors seeking warmer weather may consider South Africa for holidays involving beaches, outdoor activities and local cultural experiences.

Additional international airline capacity can support tourism by making destinations more accessible and offering travellers greater choice in their travel arrangements. It can also create opportunities for hotels, restaurants, tour operators and other businesses that depend on visitor spending.

However, the wider economic benefit will depend on actual passenger demand, accommodation availability and spending by visitors.

The extra Emirates services could also help connect Durban with markets in Europe and Asia through Dubai, allowing travellers to reach South Africa using the airline’s connecting network.

Electronic travel authorisation may benefit eligible visitors

The report also highlighted potential benefits for visitors from countries including India, China, Indonesia and Mexico through South Africa’s Electronic Travel Authorisation arrangements.

Electronic travel authorisation systems are intended to facilitate eligible travellers’ entry procedures, but eligibility requirements and application conditions vary by nationality and individual circumstances.

Passengers should confirm the latest South African entry requirements with official government sources before booking or travelling. An airline ticket alone does not guarantee permission to enter a country, and travellers may still need to meet visa, passport-validity and other immigration requirements.

For passengers planning a festive holiday in Durban, checking documentation well in advance can help avoid delays and unexpected changes to travel arrangements.

Emirates offers flexible booking options

Alongside the additional flights, Emirates highlighted several booking options designed to help customers manage changes to their travel plans.

According to the airline, its flexible booking policies include unlimited free date changes across all cabin classes for tickets booked to Dubai and one free date change for travel to other destinations across its network, subject to the applicable booking conditions.

The airline also offers its Hold My Fare service, which allows eligible customers to reserve a ticket price for 24 hours without an additional fee while finalising their travel arrangements.

These options may be useful during the busy holiday season, when travellers are coordinating family visits, accommodation, connecting flights and other commitments.

Emirates also said it was offering reduced refund fees. The precise conditions, eligibility requirements and any applicable charges should be checked at the time of booking, as fare rules can differ according to the ticket and itinerary.

Travellers should review cancellation and change policies carefully before making a purchase, particularly if their travel dates depend on work schedules, family commitments or other arrangements.

Travel insurance and additional protection

Emirates said travellers from South Africa and 26 other eligible countries can purchase its Comprehensive Travel Cover through the airline’s website or the Manage Your Booking section.

The insurance package includes worldwide medical coverage, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation and baggage protection, subject to the policy’s terms and exclusions.

The airline also highlighted conflict-related coverage, including medical expenses of up to $25,000 and a complimentary trip extension of up to 30 days, subject to the applicable policy conditions.

Travel insurance can help protect passengers against certain unexpected expenses, but coverage depends on the specific circumstances, exclusions and documentation requirements set out in the policy.

Customers should read the full policy before purchasing cover and confirm whether their destination, planned activities and personal circumstances are covered.

The availability of insurance does not remove the need to check official travel advisories, entry requirements and airline operating information before departure.

How passengers can book the additional flights

Tickets for the additional Dubai-Durban services are available through Emirates’ official website, mobile application and authorised travel agents, according to the airline.

Passengers should search for their preferred travel dates to confirm whether EK2535 or EK2536 is operating and whether seats are available in their preferred cabin.

Those travelling during the Christmas, New Year and early-January periods may benefit from booking early, particularly if they require specific connections, preferred seating or travel on fixed dates.

Before completing a booking, travellers should verify the departure and arrival times, baggage allowance, fare conditions, transit arrangements and any applicable entry documentation.

Passengers connecting through Dubai should also ensure that the connection time is sufficient for their itinerary and that any separate tickets or additional travel arrangements are compatible with the scheduled arrival and departure times.

Emirates strengthens seasonal connectivity between the UAE and South Africa

The addition of 14 Dubai-Durban flights demonstrates Emirates’ response to increased seasonal travel demand and its effort to provide more capacity during selected festive dates.

By introducing a second daily service during the two peak operating periods, the airline will give passengers more options while maintaining its regular daily flights between the cities.

The expanded schedule is expected to support family travel, international holiday planning and access to Emirates’ wider network through Dubai. It may also contribute to Durban’s tourism sector by improving connectivity during the South African summer season.

For passengers, the key consideration will be matching the additional flight dates and timings with their individual travel requirements. Booking conditions, onward connections, travel documentation and insurance terms should all be checked before departure.

The additional services are scheduled for December 17–23, 2026, and January 2–8, 2027, offering a targeted increase in capacity during the festive travel rush rather than a permanent change to the route’s daily schedule.