KQ, South Africa Airways in strategic partnership

National carrier Kenya Airways (KQ) and South Africa Airways (SAA) have signed a strategic partnership framework.

The framework will see the pair collaborate to increase passenger traffic, cargo opportunities and general trade.

“This cooperation aligns with Kenya Airways’ core purpose of -- Contributing to the sustainable development of Africa -- and is based on mutual benefits. It will increase connectivity through passenger traffic, cargo opportunities, while enhancing the implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA).

The geolocation of the two countries will make the Pan-African Airline Group attractive by creating the most formidable Airline Group that is expected to take advantage of strengths in South Africa, Kenya, and Africa,” noted Kenya Airways Chairman Michael Joseph.

The airlines see the partnership as a key pillar to their desired financial turnaround by becoming more competitive through the combination of assets.

The pair is presently flying through the turbulence of losses which have been heightened by the COVID-19 discourse to air travel demand.

The partnership comes on the backdrop of the signing of a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) between the parties two months ago.

The new partnership has come on the second day of a State visit by President Uhuru Kenyatta to South Africa this week.