Turkish Airlines, the national flag carrier of Türkiye, and South African Airways (SAA), the national flag carrier of South Africa, have formalized a comprehensive codeshare agreement set to significantly enhance connectivity between the two nations and across their global networks.
The landmark partnership, which takes effect on 1 March 2026, was officially signed in Geneva by Prof. Ahmet Bolat, Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines, and Prof. John Lamola, CEO of South African Airways, along with senior executives from both companies. This strategic collaboration is designed to offer travelers greater choice, convenience, and seamless travel opportunities across a vast combined route map.
Under the reciprocal arrangement, Turkish Airlines will place its ‘TK’ flight code on SAA-operated services across several vital African gateways. These routes include Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Windhoek, Harare, Victoria Falls, and Mauritius, thereby granting Turkish Airlines passengers expanded access to Southern Africa’s most prominent hubs.
In return, South African Airways will place its ‘SA’ flight code on selected Turkish Airlines-operated flights. This covers services connecting İstanbul to major South African cities—Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban—as well as crucial European destinations such as Frankfurt, Paris, and London, linking SAA passengers to Türkiye’s extensive European network.
Commenting on the agreement, Turkish Airlines Chairman Prof. Ahmet Bolat emphasized the partnership’s strategic value, stating: “Our codeshare agreement with South African Airways is a meaningful step in further strengthening our presence in the African market and deepening the cooperation between Türkiye and South Africa. As the largest non-African airline operating in Africa, we attach great importance to sustainable partnerships that enhance connectivity and cultivate long-term value for our guests.”
SAA CEO Prof. John Lamola welcomed the collaboration, describing it as a pivotal move for the South African carrier. He stated that the codeshare is a “strategic step in expanding safe, reliable, and competitive air services for our customers,” adding that the partnership reflects a “shared commitment to strengthening connectivity between Africa and Türkiye. Partnerships of this nature play an important role in supporting tourism, trade, and sustainable economic development.”
The collaboration further solidifies Turkish Airlines’ extensive network in Africa, which currently spans 65 destinations across 41 countries. For SAA guests, the partnership unlocks access to Turkish Airlines’ unparalleled global network of 355 destinations across 131 countries, delivering substantial benefits for tourism and commerce between the continents and worldwide.
