South African Airways (SAA) has signed a code-share agreement with TAAG Angola Airlines in a bid to ease travel for customers and save on operation costs.

The agreement, which will come into effect on 15 January 2018, will see SAA code-sharing with TAAG on their direct services between Johannesburg and Luanda and between Cape Town and Luanda.

In return, TAAG Angola Airlines will code-share with SAA on its direct services between Johannesburg and Luanda and will include Johannesburg and Harare, Johannesburg and Lusaka, and Johannesburg and Hong Kong in the near future.

The code sharing will allow SAA to offer flights with the SA code on flights operated by TAAG, and TAAG will in turn be able to offer flights with the DT code on flights operated by SAA.

This new agreement forms part of SAA’s Five-Year Corporate Plan aimed at achieving and maintaining financial sustainability in the shortest time possible.

Enhancing trade and connectivity

SAA currently serves the Angola market four times per week.

“This new code-share will enable customers to connect seamlessly from our domestic services through to Angola and gives customers the opportunity of also flying with TAAG to Angola,” SAA spokesperson Tlali Tlali said.

The deal is also expected to enhance trade between the two countries.

“We are confident that this code-share opportunity will bring our countries closer together and contribute to the development of our respective economies and tourism industries,” said William Boulter, TAAG Chief Commercial Officer.