SAA and KQ expand pan-African airline alliance with new codeshare partnership

Kenya Airways (KQ) and South African Airways (SAA) have signed a codeshare agreement to expand their destination networks, building on their September 2021 venture to form a Pan-African airline by 2023.

The codeshare agreement will see each airline sell, under its own code, flights operated by both carriers, according to a press statement released by Kenya Airways.

“Passengers travelling out of South Africa will have more options to travel to African destinations including Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Entebbe, Mombasa, and Kisumu while KQ passengers will have more choices for travel into Southern Africa including Cape Town, Durban, and Harare immediately,” said KQ in the statement.

“The growth of the partnership will see the addition of Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro, Juba, Douala, Lusaka Ghana and Nigeria subject to government approval as the airlines seek to offer more options for travelers within Africa,” the statement continued.

Allan Kilavuka, Kenya Airways CEO and group managing director, said; “As part of our Strategic Partnership Framework, we will contribute to making it easier for passengers to reach exciting new destinations within Africa. The additional destinations we believe will offer better customer journey thanks to the number of frequencies and connections created as well as many opportunities for trade and tourism. “

Back in September 2021, Kenya Airways and South African Airways signed a memorandum of cooperation that included a long-term plan to start a Pan-African airline group.

The new airline is expected to begin operations in 2023.