Turkish Airlines and South African Airways (SAA) have entered a new codeshare partnership set to take effect on 1 March 2026, marking a significant expansion of collaboration between the two national carriers. The agreement was signed in Geneva by Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee, Prof. Ahmet Bolat, and SAA CEO, Prof. John Lamola, in the presence of senior executives from both airlines.
Under the arrangement, Turkish Airlines will place its TK code on South African Airways-operated flights across major African gateways, including Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Windhoek, Harare, Victoria Falls, and Mauritius. In return, SAA will place its SA code on selected Turkish Airlines flights linking İstanbul with Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, as well as Frankfurt, Paris, and London.
Prof. Bolat described the partnership as a strategic milestone in strengthening Turkish Airlines’ African footprint. He noted that, as the largest non-African carrier serving the continent, the airline values long-term collaborations that improve connectivity and create sustainable economic benefits for travellers and markets.
Prof. Lamola said the partnership represents an important step in broadening safe, reliable, and competitive travel options for SAA customers. He emphasized that both airlines share a commitment to expanding links between Africa and Türkiye, while supporting tourism, trade, and regional economic growth.
Turkish Airlines continues to maintain the most extensive network in Africa, currently serving 65 destinations across 41 countries. The codeshare with SAA will further strengthen this presence by providing broader access to key South African destinations for Turkish Airlines passengers, while offering SAA customers seamless entry into Turkish Airlines’ global network of 355 destinations in 131 countries.
