Emirates is resuming flights to South Africa with effect from December 1, operating EK761 to JNB four times weekly. Flights to CPT and DUR remain suspended at this time. Flights from South Africa are not operating at this stage, consistent with the earlier announced ban. Hopefully this helps get those stranded abroad, back home. There are still seats available for those who are stuck abroad.

As an aside, it looks like EK had planned to resume EK770 to CPT from January 1, but I suspect those flights will not be going ahead.

Thanks for the heads up. Curious...what would be the reason to start flights to JNB and not say CPT. My understanding is this new variant is heavily concentrated, or at least more so, in the Gauteng, JNB, Provence. As opposed to the Western Cape or CPT. Also, seems the Western Cape has a much higher percentage of the population vaccinated vs the JNB area? Seems like if they are trying to reconnect to SA they're not picking a great spot??

Any thoughts?

As they have to return without passengers it makes sense to use a 'cargo heavy' destination. JNB is much more cargo heavy than CPT (that's my take on it, not an official explanation).

If one books a flight From Lusaka to Nairobi - will EK allow for check in at NBO? ....... Just asking.....

I know two people who tried. One check-in agent leafed through the passport and denied boarding. The other forgot to. UAE rules are that you cannot enter the country if you’ve visited the “banned” countries in the prior 14 days, so technically you shouldn’t be able to.

Emirates might let someone board, but I would hope they are stopped by UAE immigration for acting dishonestly and trying to break the rules.