South African Airways (SAA) and CemAir have announced a landmark codeshare partnership that redefines domestic air travel in South Africa. The collaboration strengthens connectivity between major cities and niche destinations not previously served by SAA’s network.
Unlike SAA’s other codeshare agreements, which are focused on regional or international routes, this partnership is exclusively domestic and is designed to enhance accessibility and convenience for travellers across South Africa. Both airlines have placed their codes on each other’s flights, enabling customers to book integrated itineraries through official websites, mobile applications and authorised agents. Passengers are benefiting from seamless connections, single-ticket itineraries and baggage through-check, all underpinned by aligned service standards.
CemAir is a privately owned South African airline that has been operating since 2005, providing scheduled flights across major cities and regional destinations, including Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, George, East London, Gqeberha, Margate, Kimberley, Hoedspruit and Mala Mala. With a fleet of regional jets and turboprops, CemAir plays a vital role in connecting both business and leisure travellers, complementing South African Airways’ network and expanding access to South Africa’s diverse landscapes and communities.
Prof. John Lamola, Group CEO of South African Airways, commented: “This partnership is a game-changer for domestic travel in South Africa. Unlike our international codeshares, this agreement focuses on connecting major cities with regional and leisure destinations that were previously beyond SAA’s reach. By combining our strengths with CemAir, we are delivering greater flexibility, convenience and choice for our customers, while supporting tourism and economic growth across the country.”
Miles van der Molen, CEO of CemAir, welcomed the partnership as a milestone for South African aviation, saying: “This collaboration represents a shared vision to offer travellers better access, more flexibility and greater reliability. By combining our strengths, we are helping to create a stronger, more connected network that benefits both business and leisure travellers.”
Benefits for travellers include:
- Integrated booking across both airlines’ platforms.
- Expanded access to unique leisure and business destinations.
- Single-ticket itineraries with smooth connections and baggage transfers.
