SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS AND ETIHAD AIRWAYS COMMENCE INDIA CODESHARE
South African Airways (SAA) and Etihad Airways have announced the commencement of their codeshare partnership in India. The new arrangement came into effect earlier this month. Starting 29th March passengers from six points– Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram will be able to fly to Johannesburg via Abu Dhabi.
“India is an extremely important market for us. A member BRICS state, India has significant investments in South Africa and the two countries are witnessing a steady rise in bilateral trade. At the same time, tourism is increasing significantly as well. The codeshare agreement will help passengers to fly to South Africa in an easy and convenient manner and boost trade and tourism alike by connecting six cities in India to Johannesburg via Abu Dhabi,” said Sajid Khan, Country Manager – India, South African Airways.
“South Africa has emerged as a preferred destination for business and leisure travellers from India. Our partnership with South African Airways will enable us to strengthen our connectivity in South Africa and help our passengers traverse the region easily,” added Neerja Bhatia, General Manager – India, Etihad Airways.
As part of the agreement, SA will codeshare on select EY flights to and from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram while EY will codeshare on SA279 from Abu Dhabi to Johannesburg and SA278 from Johannesburg to Abu Dhabi. In addition to the codeshare flight, fliers could also use EY’s alternate service between Abu Dhabi and Johannesburg. Passengers can then continue their onward journey to various destinations in South Africa and the African continent using SAA’s domestic and regional flights.
About South African Airways
South African Airways (SAA), Africa’s most awarded airline, operates from Johannesburg, South Africa, to 38 destinations worldwide. SAA’s codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways enables travellers from six Indian cities – New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram to fly to Johannesburg via Abu Dhabi.
SAA’s international network creates links to all major continents from South Africa through 10 direct routes and code shares, with daily flights from Johannesburg to London (Heathrow), Frankfurt, Munich, Perth, Hong Kong, New York, Washington, and Sao Paulo. SAA has codes share agreements with 29 other airlines across the markets it serves. The airline has extended its code share agreement with Mango, its low cost operator, to also include coastal cities in South Africa (between Johannesburg and Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth and George), as well as Johannesburg – Bloemfontein; Cape Town – Bloemfontein and Cape Town – Port Elizabeth.
SAA is a Star Alliance member which offers more than 18,500 daily flights to 1,316 airports in 192 countries. SAA is the winner of the ‘Best Airline in Africa’ Award in the regional category for eleven consecutive years.
