Kenya Airways and SAA seal codeshare as partnership plans begin

Kenya Airways and South African Airways (SAA) have struck a codeshare agreement, marking a first step in wider partnership plans between the two African carriers.

The codeshare adds a series of onward connections to points within Africa from the carriers’ respective networks.

SkyTeam carrier Kenya Airways and Star Alliance member SAA last year agreed a strategic partnership agreement aimed developing connectivity within Africa.

Kenya Airways chief executive Allan Kilavuka says: ”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 a better customer journey thanks to the number of frequencies and connections created as well as many opportunities for trade and tourism.”

SAA interim chief executive John Lamola says: “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.”

Both Kilavuka and Lamola told FlightGlobal at last month’s IATA AGM that as part of their strategic partnership ambitions the airlines are looking at establishing a pan-African holding airline groupgr, along the lines of other holding groups like IAG.