Turkish Airlines and South African Airways Now Offering Seamless Travel Between South Africa, Istanbul and Global Destinations

Published on December 14, 2025

It is important to note that in a major boost for the tourism of Africa, South African Airways and Turkish Airlines have formally entered into a new codeshare agreement that is aimed at revolutionizing international connectivity between Africa and other destinations around the globe. This new agreement, which was formally concluded on the 4th of December of 2025, at the Star Alliance Chief Executive Board meeting held in Geneva, is expected to boost the tourist travels of both Africans living outside the continent as well as other tourists who would like to visit the continent.

Strengthening Global Ties Through Seamless Connectivity
The codeshare agreement allows Turkish Airlines to place its “TK” code on a wide range of flights operated by South African Airways. This expanded network connects southern African cities like Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Windhoek, Harare, Victoria Falls, and Mauritius, providing easier access for international travelers to explore the region. In return, SAA will place its “SA” code on Turkish Airlines flights between Istanbul and key South African cities—Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban—along with popular European hubs such as Frankfurt, Paris, and London. This arrangement opens up more direct connections between Africa and major global destinations, reducing the time and effort it takes for tourists to travel to various African regions.

The agreement not only strengthens the travel routes between South Africa and Türkiye but also enhances access to other critical regions in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas. With Istanbul positioned as a strategic transit hub, Turkish Airlines offers African destinations a direct link to a broader international network, allowing tourists to explore new global locations while facilitating more efficient travel across Africa.

Expanding Opportunities for Africa’s Tourism Sector
For Africa, this partnership represents a major opportunity to grow inbound tourism and expand the continent’s visibility on the global tourism stage. With Istanbul’s growing status as an aviation hub, Turkish Airlines’ extensive reach into key markets in Europe, Asia, and the Americas provides African tourism operators with an unprecedented opportunity to tap into previously underserved regions. As international travelers can now book coordinated flights across Africa and into major cities in Europe and Asia, the partnership significantly increases the chances of attracting tourists from new source markets.

The agreement boosts Africa’s appeal as a travel destination by offering easy access to a variety of African cities and experiences, from safaris in South Africa to cultural visits in Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Mauritius. Moreover, the increased connectivity is expected to enhance the flow of tourists to Africa’s diverse destinations, creating new economic opportunities and contributing to the overall growth of the continent’s tourism sector.

Streamlining Travel for International Tourists
One of the most notable benefits of the SAA-Turkish Airlines codeshare agreement is the simplification of the travel process for tourists. The partnership enables more convenient flight schedules, fewer layovers, and reduced transit times, offering greater flexibility for travelers. Whether exploring multiple destinations within Africa or traveling to global cities, tourists can now book single-ticket journeys that seamlessly combine African and international flights.

For example, a traveler flying from London to Johannesburg with Turkish Airlines can easily transfer to an SAA flight to Cape Town, Durban, or even Mauritius. This smooth transition between flights allows for more efficient travel planning and better overall experiences for tourists looking to visit multiple destinations in Africa. This streamlined process is expected to encourage longer trips and multi-destination packages, which are increasingly popular among international travelers.

Moreover, the partnership enables travel agents and tourism operators to create new itineraries that offer travelers a broader range of options. With Africa now better connected to major cities around the world, operators can design tours that combine leisure, business, and cultural experiences across multiple countries, further boosting the appeal of African tourism.

Increased Market Access for African Tourism Operators
The expanded network brought about by the SAA-Turkish Airlines codeshare agreement offers African tourism professionals access to an expanded international market. Turkish Airlines’ broad presence in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East provides a new avenue for African operators to reach travelers from markets that were previously hard to access or underserved by current international flight routes. For example, tourists from Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and other parts of Europe now have easier and more affordable access to key African destinations.

This development is crucial as Africa seeks to maintain competitiveness in an increasingly globalized tourism market. The added exposure to international markets means African tourism products will receive greater attention, potentially leading to an influx of visitors interested in experiencing Africa’s diverse cultures, wildlife, and landscapes.

Additionally, the partnership will lead to more competitive pricing for flights between Africa and major international cities. With better access to Turkish Airlines’ extensive network and economies of scale, ticket prices are expected to decrease, making African destinations more affordable and accessible to a larger pool of international travelers.

Marketing and Sales Opportunities for African Tourism
Ticket sales for the new codeshare flights will begin on March 1, 2026, providing tourism stakeholders across Africa with the chance to adjust their marketing strategies and update their distribution channels. This timeline allows African tourism authorities and businesses to prepare for the influx of bookings and tailor their campaigns to attract international tourists. By working closely with Turkish Airlines and SAA, African operators can develop specialized travel packages that cater to the growing demand for multi-destination trips, combining African and European, Asian, or Middle Eastern experiences.

Furthermore, the partnership presents African tourism authorities with the opportunity to promote their destinations through Turkish Airlines’ global network of loyalty programs and travel brand partnerships. This global reach will help raise awareness of Africa’s tourism offerings and introduce the continent to new audiences in key international markets.

Future Growth and Expansion for African Tourism
Looking ahead, the SAA-Turkish Airlines partnership is set to fuel further network expansion and open new opportunities for tourism growth across Africa. With added frequencies, improved city pairings, and enhanced flight schedules, this agreement provides more choices for business and leisure travelers alike. The expansion supports the diversification of African tourism products, allowing operators to offer a broader range of experiences, from adventure travel to cultural and eco-tourism.

The collaboration underscores both airlines’ commitment to investing in Africa’s tourism industry. As global travel demand continues to recover, this partnership will help shape the continent’s international appeal, attracting more tourists and fostering deeper cultural and economic ties between Africa and the rest of the world.

Enhancing Africa’s Global Presence in Tourism

This codeshare agreement between South African Airways and Turkish Airlines changes the game for Africa’s tourism sector. Offering better connectivity from Africa to important markets in the rest of the world, the partnership unlocks new travel options while boosting multi-destination tourism across the continent for economic gain. With seamless flight options, reduced travel times, and improved access to international markets, Africa is poised to welcome more tourists and solidify its position as one of the world’s top destinations. This will be among the central points of cooperation as aviation continues to evolve, ensuring that this collaboration enables Africa to rewrite the future of tourism.