Turkish Airlines has signed a codeshare agreement with South African Airways, effective March 2026, reports the American Journal of Transportation.

The deal was signed in Geneva by Turkish Airlines chairman Ahmet Bolat and South African Airways CEO John Lamola, with senior executives from both carriers present.

Turkish Airlines will place its TK code on South African Airways flights across key African gateways including Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Windhoek, Harare, Victoria Falls and Mauritius. South African Airways will place its SA code on selected Turkish Airlines flights between Istanbul and Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Frankfurt, Paris and London.

Prof Bolat said the agreement strengthens Turkish Airlines' presence in Africa and deepens cooperation between Turkey and South Africa. Prof. Lamola described the partnership as a strategic step to expand safe and competitive air services, supporting tourism, trade and economic development.

Turkish Airlines already operates the most extensive network in Africa, serving 65 destinations across 41 countries. The codeshare will expand access for South African Airways passengers to Turkish Airlines' global network of 355 destinations in 131 countries.