ISTANBUL, TÜRKİYE / JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – July 18, 2025 – Turkish Airlines, Türkiye’s national flag carrier, has announced a significant codeshare agreement with South Africa’s premier regional airline, Airlink. Effective August 1, 2025, this strategic partnership is set to dramatically enhance connectivity between Türkiye and a wide array of destinations across Southern Africa, opening new doors for trade, tourism, and cultural exchange.
The agreement, officially signed at Airlink’s Head Office in Johannesburg, marks a pivotal moment in Turkish Airlines’ long-term growth strategy on the African continent. By integrating Turkish Airlines’ expansive global network, which spans over 130 countries and 353 destinations, with Airlink’s robust regional and domestic coverage, the new codeshare will make multi-sector journeys more seamless than ever before.
Unlocking Southern African Destinations:
Under the terms of the agreement, Turkish Airlines will place its “TK” flight code on select Airlink-operated flights. This means passengers flying into major South African gateways like Cape Town and Johannesburg with Turkish Airlines will now enjoy smoother onward connections to a vast array of destinations across South Africa, Madagascar, St Helena Island, and other points within Southern Africa – all on a single ticket, complete with baggage transfers and through check-in.
Levent Konukcu, Turkish Airlines Chief Investment & Strategy Officer, emphasized the strategic importance of the collaboration. “As Turkish Airlines, we give importance to this cooperation with Airlink so as to enhance our connectivity in South Africa and the region,” he stated. “We aim to improve our partnership to maximize the travel opportunities offered to our guests. We believe that this partnership will not only bring benefits to both carriers from a commercial perspective but also improve the cultural and tourism relations between the two countries.”
Benefits for Travelers and Airlines:
Codeshare agreements are a common and highly effective strategy in the aviation industry, offering numerous advantages for both airlines and their passengers:
- Expanded Network for Airlines: Airlines can significantly extend their route network and market reach without the substantial investment required for new aircraft or the operation of additional flights. This allows carriers to tap into new markets and attract a broader customer base.
- Seamless Travel for Passengers: Travelers benefit from increased flight options, more convenient schedules, and the ability to book complex itineraries on a single ticket. This simplifies the booking process, check-in, and baggage transfers, reducing potential travel hassles.
- Enhanced Connectivity: The partnership provides crucial links to previously less accessible regional destinations, boosting tourism and business travel.
- Loyalty Program Benefits: Passengers can often earn and redeem frequent flyer miles across both airlines’ programs, enhancing the value of their loyalty.
Airlink’s Endorsement and Regional Power:
Airlink CEO de Villiers Engelbrecht hailed the agreement as a significant endorsement of Airlink’s brand and its growing global recognition. “This collaboration with Turkish Airlines represents a significant opportunity to deepen ties between the two airlines,” he commented. “The agreement is a further endorsement of Airlink’s brand, while for our respective customers, it means more convenient travel options, with world-class service and easier access to destinations across our combined and extensive route networks.”
Airlink, established in 1992, operates a fleet of over 65 modern jetliners and serves more than 45 destinations throughout Southern Africa, including vital connections to countries like Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, in addition to its extensive South African network. This robust regional coverage makes Airlink an ideal partner for Turkish Airlines, which has been steadily expanding its footprint across Africa, aiming to integrate the continent more closely with its global network.
This new codeshare agreement solidifies Turkish Airlines’ position in the African market and provides a substantial boost to connectivity for travelers seeking to explore the diverse landscapes and opportunities of Southern Africa.
