Kenya Airways (KQ), the country’s flag carrier, and South African Airways, SAA, have agreed to codeshare, expanding the number of places passengers can go without interruption.
The code-sharing arrangement will allow one airline to sell flights operated by the other, such as Kenya Airways or South African Airways, under its own code when demand for air travel increases.
Customers of SAA will still be able to accumulate Voyager Miles on these new codeshare flights. Travelers can combine flight segments and baggage on a single ticket thanks to the agreement.
While KQ travelers will have more alternatives for travel into Southern Africa, including Cape Town, Durban, and Mombasa, passengers departing from South Africa will have more options for travel to African destinations, including Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Entebbe, Mombasa, and Kisumu.
In order to give travelers more options inside Africa, the alliance will expand to include Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro, Juba, Douala, Lusaka, Ghana, and Nigeria, subject to government approval.
“We are very pleased to implement the codeshare with SAA which offers our shared customers more options and flight combinations. As part of our Strategic Partnership Framework, we will contribute to making it easier for passengers to reach exciting new destinations within Africa,” Allan Kilavuka, Kenya Airways CEO and Group Managing Director.
“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.”
The partners are currently evaluating additional codeshare destinations, which will be revealed soon.
In order to boost passenger traffic, cargo possibilities, and general trade by leveraging capabilities in South Africa, Kenya, and Africa, KQ and SAA inked a Strategic Partnership Framework in November 2021.
A specific prorate agreement that was previously struck earlier this year is built upon by this codeshare arrangement.
“Through the codeshare agreement with Kenya Airways, South African Airways’ valued clientele will gain new travel choices to markets across East Africa via Kenya’s extensive network and hub in Nairobi, providing for seamless travel and status recognition,” said Prof John Lamola, interim CEO of South African Airways.
“We are looking forward to introducing Kenya Airways customers to our award-winning service, and to working closely with Kenya Airways as our partnership will improve the connections between our respective networks.”
Additionally, Kenya and South African Airways are looking into methods to improve collaboration between their various frequent flyer programs, including chances for reciprocal earning and redemption as well as well-liked perks like lounge access. The information will be released when it is appropriate.