South African Airways Signs New Codeshare Agreement with Turkish Airlines
- Joe Breitfeller
- Dec 5
- 2 min read
At a ceremony in Geneva Switzerland on Thursday, December 4, 2025, South African Airways and Turkish Airlines signed a new codeshare agreement that will enhance connectivity between South Africa and Türkiye.
On Friday (December 5, 2025), South African Airways, the national flag carrier of South Africa, announced the signing of a new codeshare agreement with Turkish Airlines, the national flag carrier of Türkiye. The agreement was officially formalized on Thursday, December 4, 2025, during a ceremony in Geneva, Switzerland, held on the sidelines of the Star Alliance Chief Executive Board (CEB) meeting. Senior executives from both airlines officiated the signing.
Speaking on the agreement, Turkish Airlines’ Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee, Ahmet Bolat, said,
“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.”
Also commenting on the new codeshare partnership, South African Airways Group’s CEO, John Lamola, added,
“South African Airways welcomes this codeshare partnership as a strategic step in expanding safe, reliable, and competitive air services for our customers. Turkish Airlines is a respected global carrier, and this collaboration reflects our 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.”
Under the new agreement, Turkish Airlines will place their ‘TK’ marketing code on South African Airways-operated flights between Johannesburg and Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth, Windhoek and Harare, as well as between Victoria Falls and Mauritius. Likewise, South African Airways will place their ‘SA’ code on Turkish Airlines-operated flights between İstanbul and Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, along with Frankfurt, Paris and London.
between South Africa and Türkiye. Ticket sales for codeshared itineraries will commence on March 1st, 2026.
Source: South African Airways
