A regular source within Emirates in Uganda has drawn this correspondent’s attention to the fact that with the delivery of more A380 aircraft, the airline will be adding Beijing from the beginning of August, when daily flights will then be operated with the giant passenger aircraft.

The source pointed out that the 517-seater aircraft will feature economy, business, and first-class cabins and connections from Uganda, where daily flights are operated via Addis Ababa on a B777 and will be within easy reach considering that the departure for the Beijing flight is just after 4:00 am in the early hours of the morning. This gives passengers from Uganda, and the rest of Eastern Africa, ample time for some extended duty-free shopping or else permit them to sample the lounges available for premium-class passengers.

The source could not, however, be drawn into speculation if Emirates would use their A380 on flights to South Africa for the FIFA World Cup, for which there is a lot of anticipation, considering that Emirates is the global FIFA World Cup partner airline and expected to deliver thousands of passengers from around the world to South Africa. Seats to South Africa are already sold at the highest premiums, if at all available. For instance from Uganda to South Africa, airfares are set to double or triple, compared to present fare levels during the World Cup period, dampening demand from African fans wanting to see the games “live.”