What's Happening?
South African Airways (SAA) is actively expanding its codeshare partnerships to enhance its network reach while planning to grow its widebody fleet in 2026. According to Tebogo Tsimane, SAA's Chief Commercial
Officer, the airline has signed a codeshare agreement with TAAG, the host carrier of the African Airlines Association annual meeting in Luanda, Angola. This agreement allows SAA to add its flight code to TAAG-operated flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Luanda, while TAAG gains access to SAA's network destinations, including Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha, Harare, and Lusaka. SAA, which resumed operations in September 2021 after near bankruptcy, is in a rebuilding phase. The airline currently operates a fleet of 14 Airbus A320 narrowbodies, two A340-300s, and two A330-300 widebodies. However, the introduction of additional aircraft has been delayed to 2026 due to operators retaining them longer than expected.
Why It's Important?
The expansion of codeshare partnerships and fleet growth is crucial for SAA as it seeks to strengthen its position in the competitive airline industry. By increasing its network reach through partnerships with airlines like Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, and Emirates, SAA can offer more destinations and improve connectivity for its passengers. This strategy is vital for SAA's recovery and growth, especially after the financial challenges it faced. The delay in acquiring new aircraft poses a challenge, but the temporary leasing of additional A330s is a strategic move to bridge the gap. The expansion plans, including potential new routes to major cities like Washington, New York, and London, indicate SAA's ambition to re-establish itself as a significant player in the international aviation market.
What's Next?
SAA plans to sign more codeshare agreements in the coming year, with potential deals involving Air Botswana, Air Zimbabwe, Air Eswatini, and United Airlines. The airline is also expected to issue a request for proposals for a significant number of narrowbodies and widebodies before the end of the year. These steps are part of SAA's broader strategy to expand its long-haul network and increase its fleet capacity. The airline's focus on enhancing connectivity around Johannesburg and Cape Town is likely to continue, with additional A330s expected to enter service in the second half of 2026.
