Emirates Cuts Perth Flights: Fewer Connections for South Africans via Dubai
Reduced frequencies impact travellers from Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban
Daily Flights to Perth Drop This October. Emirates will reduce Dubai–Perth service from two to one daily flight starting 25 October 2025. Only EK420 will remain, departing Dubai at 02:45 and arriving in Perth at 17:20 local time. The airline has operated flights to Perth for 23 years, with twice-daily service resuming only in December 2024.
The upcoming reduction follows a routine operational review to optimise aircraft fleet usage and route performance. The move removes EK424, the Boeing 777-operated flight, freeing up 1.5 aircraft for other routes. While the four-class Airbus A380 remains, the schedule change will affect thousands of global passengers.
Fewer Convenient Connections for South Africans
The cut impacts South Africans connecting through Dubai to Perth, especially from Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban. From Johannesburg’s three daily Emirates flights, only EK762 will connect conveniently to the sole Perth service. Cape Town’s EK771 will be the only suitable link for Western Australia-bound travellers.
Durban’s daily flight will no longer offer a timely onward connection to Perth. This disrupts travel plans for South Africans visiting family or working in Australia, where many expats reside. Perth is home to the second-largest South African population in Australia, after Sydney.
Operational Review or Market Pressure?
Emirates cites a routine operational review but hasn’t confirmed if incentives from the Western Australian Government have ended. Additional capacity, competition from Virgin Australia and Thai Airways, and performance issues may have influenced the decision.
Virgin Australia’s partnership with Qatar Airways has increased one-stop options between Perth and Europe via Doha. Qatar Airways recently pulled its A380 service to Perth, potentially linked to Virgin’s daily operation. Despite this, Emirates will maintain its A380 on the route, maximising capacity during high-demand periods. The aircraft departs at 02:45, feeding from Emirates’ largest inbound Europe arrival bank in Dubai.
Impact on Global Connections
Over 875 passengers connect daily via Dubai when flying between Perth and global destinations, especially Europe and Africa. Popular onward destinations include Heathrow, Manchester, Dublin, Rome, and Amsterdam. Nearly 70% of connecting passengers flew between Perth and Europe, with 10% flying to or from Africa.
South African Airways’ nonstops and Qantas’ upcoming return have already chipped away at Emirates’ market share. Emirates’ reduced frequency may further weaken its position in the Perth–South Africa market. Even so, the new schedule still allows for strategic connections during Emirates’ key traffic banks in Dubai.