Kenya Airways (KQ) and Air Austral have signed a codeshare pact to avail to their customers more travel options and enhance connectivity between Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands.

The deal taking effect from October 29, 2022 will see both airlines access more destinations beyond their hubs, that is, Nairobi for KQ and Saint-Denis in Reunion Island for Air Austral.

The pact will see KQ passengers access on a single ticket, Air Austral hub in Saint Denis and onward destinations, and Air Austral passengers access KQ’s Nairobi Hub though connecting flights in Antananarivo (Madagascar), Mauritius and Johannesburg (South Africa).

Through KQ Nairobi Hub, passengers from Air Austral will have seamless connections to the wider Kenya Airways network including Lagos, Dar es Salaam, Entebbe in Africa and Paris, London and Amsterdam in Europe as well as JFK International airport in New York, America.


“Air Austral is delighted with this partnership which opens new bridges between Africa and the Indian Ocean via our hubs, Nairobi, and Reunion Island Roland Garros Airport. The partnership attests to our determination to step up our offering and, therefore, extend Reunion Island's influence on the international stage,” said Joseph Bréma, Air Austral CEO.

The codeshare permits passengers of the two airlines to benefit from a single fare and a single ticket for their entire trip on these code-share routes.


The customers will also be allowed to check in with their luggage from their departure city through to their arrival at their destination.

“This partnership offers us an opportunity to provide our guests with access to more destinations in the Indian Ocean Islands and opens up our country for tourism opportunities from visitors coming from the Islands, said KQ Chief Commercial and Customer Officer Julius Thairu.

Julius Thairu and Joseph Bréma. 

Thairu added, “This is aligned with our commitment to provide greater connectivity, market access to our customers and growth through our partners.”

Flights for the codeshare routes are open for bookings on the Kenya Airways website, www.kenya-airways.com, and Air Austral www.air-austral.com, or with their travel agents.