Due to go GLA-DXB_CPT on 10th March with EK772 also - think it will be operational by then ? Also any news on grapevine re CD in CPT ?

Qatar has resumed JNB flights to Doha - surely, EK will do so soon??

The problem is not with EK, but with the UAE. That country still maintains restrictions to travel from South Africa.
Currently, the first flights are bookable from1 February.
This will be costing EK some market share as quite a few people are now choosing QR. QR fares appear to be good and where the schedule ‘fits’ quite a few of these passengers may ‘stick’ with QR.

A few more updates:
EK47 FRA downgraded to the 77W, effective today until Feb 1
EK51 MUC downgraded to the 77W, effective today until Feb 1
EK57 DUS downgraded to the 77W, effective today until Feb 1
EK396 HKT resumes on the 77W, effective Feb 1 four times weekly (HKT will be 11 times weekly)
EK654 CMB resumes on the 77W, effective Feb 10 five times weekly (CMB will be 26 times weekly)
EK662 MLE commences on the 77W, effective Feb 11, three times weekly (MLE will be 31 times weekly)
EK2503 LHR will operate (as a 7th daily frequency) on Feb 11, 12, 19, 20, 26, 27 with the 77W

I'm a little bit surprised that EK hasn't looked at speeding up the resumption of the 380 to MEL. It looks like loads are fairly strong for the rest of the month. I'd also speculate that BNE/PER may be brought back to the 380 sooner than the currently planned date in July.

There had been rumours we'd hear something in the next week, but I'm not holding my breath now that EK has pushed the scheduled resumption to Feb 1.

Several frequency increases scheduled for July. We'll see if all will be realized.
https://simpleflying.com/emirates-july-plans/

3 X daily to JNB means return of the early morning arrival into JNB .......... Two Thumbs up!!!!

That would be amazing. That 4am DXB departure and arrival late morning into JNB was torture.

Although right now I’d settle for a resumption of any flights. I’m due to fly through DOH to DXB and that’s a pain.

Looking at EF seat maps, EK406/407 to/from MEL seems set to resume 2022/07/01 with A380.

Well I wasn't lying when I said we'd hear something within the next week... ;)

https://www.khaleejtimes.com/aviatio...m-12-countries

Apologies, I had meant that the MEL flights were full for the rest of January. The scheduled upgrade is still planned for February 1st. EK has generally been very responsive to upgrading flights when loads are strong, even if just for a few weeks.

CaptainEKAirbus thanks.

Relieved to be spared dodgy routings via DOH.

Any indication of initial frequency for JNB?

Information from someone travelling from SA on 1 February is that there will be no additional testing requirements for transit passengers from SA, i.e. just the requirements for the final destination. If that is true (he got this from the EK call centre) this would be even better news! Previously the UAE still wanted 72 hour PCR tests for transit passengers ex SA.
Now all we need it for SA to drop the PCR requirement for incoming passengers (currently irrespective of origin), but I can't see that happen very quickly.

i cancelled my EK flights this week for trip in March to CPT for the very reason of PCR test for transiting through DXB. i asked Call centre agent about it and she confirmed that 'at this time' a negative PCR was required even to transit via DXB back to uk. Reluctantly switched to BA :(

just announced on EK website - SA flights reinstated as of 29th Jan. CPT daily from 1st Feb. And no need for negative PCR test to transit thru DXB - final point of destination rules apply so in case of UK - nothing after 11th February.

But for those who are unvaccinated pre-departure test and a PCR test on or before Day 2 after arrival in the UK.

Yay!!! All Africa destinations re-instated ........ to and from