Turkish Airlines and South African Airways Sign New Codeshare Agreement

International

Joint flights begin on 1 March 2026, expanding travel options between Türkiye, Africa and key global hubs

Turkish Airlines has signed a new codeshare agreement with South African Airways, strengthening cooperation between the two flag carriers and broadening connectivity for passengers on both sides. The partnership, formalised at a ceremony in Geneva, will come into effect on 1 March 2026 and supports wider commercial, cultural and tourism links between Türkiye and South Africa.

A Strategic Partnership Between Two Flag Carriers

The agreement was signed by Ahmet Bolat, Chairman of Turkish Airlines, and John Lamola, CEO of South African Airways. Bolat noted that both carriers aim to provide passengers with more comprehensive travel options and highlighted the potential benefits for bilateral cultural and tourism relations. Lamola described the cooperation as a strategic step to expand reliable and competitive air travel while improving connectivity between Africa and Türkiye.

Expanded Network Coverage for Both Airlines

From March 2026, South African Airways will place its code on several regional routes including Johannesburg–Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Windhoek, Harare, Victoria Falls and Mauritius. Turkish Airlines will codeshare on long-haul and European services including Istanbul–Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, as well as flights to Frankfurt, Paris and London.

Broader Travel Choices for Passengers

Both carriers expect the partnership to deepen commercial cooperation and provide travellers with more route options across two continents. The move forms part of Turkish Airlines’ continued network expansion and supports South African Airways’ efforts to enhance connectivity across Southern Africa and beyond.