South African Airways (SAA) and Turkish Airlines have activated a new codeshare agreement, expanding network reach and improving connectivity between Africa, Europe and beyond.
The partnership, which came into effect on 15 July 2026, allows both carriers to place their flight codes on selected routes across each other’s networks.
Expanded network access via key hubs
Under the agreement, Turkish Airlines will add its code to SAA-operated flights across southern Africa, including services from Johannesburg to Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Windhoek, Harare, Victoria Falls and Mauritius.
In return, SAA will place its code on Turkish Airlines flights linking South Africa with Istanbul and onward to major European cities including Paris, London and Frankfurt.
The collaboration strengthens access through two major hubs, Johannesburg and Istanbul, creating more streamlined connections for travellers.
Trade benefits from improved connectivity
For the Australian travel trade, the codeshare opens up additional routing options into Africa, particularly via Turkish Airlines’ extensive global network through Istanbul.
The agreement also simplifies multi-sector bookings, allowing agents to combine regional African routes with long-haul international services under a single ticket.
SAA Acting Group CEO Matshela Seshibe said the partnership enhances global reach, while Turkish Airlines CEO Ahmet Olmuştur highlighted the complementary nature of the two networks.
Strategic partnership supports network rebuild
The deal forms part of SAA’s broader strategy to rebuild its international footprint through partnerships, rather than rapid fleet expansion.
For Turkish Airlines, the agreement strengthens its presence across southern Africa, a region where demand continues to grow across leisure and visiting friends and relatives (VFR) segments.
As airlines increasingly rely on partnerships to extend network reach, codeshare agreements such as this are becoming a key tool in improving global connectivity without adding new routes.
