National carrier Kenya Airways (KQ, has signed a Strategic Partnership Framework with South African Airways (SAA), a move aimed at co-starting a Pan African Airline Group by 2023.

This is after the two airlines signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) two months ago to enhance exchange of knowledge, expertise, innovation, digital technologies and best practice.

The pact will see the two African airlines work together to increase passenger traffic, cargo handling and general trade by taking advantage of strengths in South Africa, Kenya, and Africa.

It is also expected to improve the financial viability of the two national carriers and will see their customers also benefit from more competitive prices for their passengers and cargo.

South African Airways Airbus A350. PHOTO/COURTESY

Read More

  1. Another passenger dies aboard Kenya Airways flight on Nairobi-New York route
  2. High Court dismisses petition against Supreme Court by MP Silvanus Osoro
  3. Faith Kipyegon bags Kenya's first gold medal at Oregon World Championship

The event was witnessed by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his South African host, President Cyril Ramaphosa, on the second day of Uhuru’s three-day State visit to South Africa.

The Strategic Partnership Framework itself was signed by KQ Chairman Michael Joseph and SAA Chairman John Lamola in Johannesburg, South Africa.

KQ says the framework aligns well with the aspirations of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) of providing a single market for goods and services, backed by movement of persons and goods to deepen the economic integration and African prosperity.

The deal also includes demand for recovery and other cost containment strategies which will aid the recovery of both carriers in an increasingly competitive African airline environment.

“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 geo location 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,” said Joseph.

Lamola added, “The Strategic Partnership Framework will improve the financial viability of both airlines by creating the most formidable air transport connection in Africa by benefiting from at least two attractive hubs of Johannesburg and Nairobi. It will ignite the Kenya and South Africa tourism circuits, which account for significant portions of the respective country’s GDP.”