I CAN assure you, there
will be more to our
partnership than just
sharing our codes.”
This was the word from
SAA chief commercial
officer, Sylvain Bosc, at a
special event to celebrate
the launch of SAA and
Etihad Airways’ new
codeshare service linking
Johannesburg and Abu
Dhabi, which will come into
effect on March 29 when
SAA launches daily flights
to the UAE capital.
Through the partnership,
SAA passengers will
have access to more
destinations in India and
China via Abu Dhabi.
The airline announced in
February it would cut its
direct flights to Beijing and
Mumbai.
“You can expect more
positive realignments and
new destinations and direct
flights from SAA in the
coming months. We want
to grow our hub and make
sure OR Tambo remains the
most prominent hub on the
continent,” Sylvain said.
This latest milestone
marks the commencement
of SAA’s and Etihad’s
second phase of the
“landmark strategic
operation”, said Maurice
Phohleli, Etihad’s vp for
Africa Sub-Sahara and
Indian Ocean. “This
partnership allows us to
punch above our weight and
compete with airlines that
are larger and stronger
than we are.”
From March 29, SA
travellers will have access
to 49 new codeshare
destinations, connecting
through Abu Dhabi to
Europe, SE Asia, the
Indian subcontinent, and
Australia. There will also be
synergies in terms of the
airlines’ loyalty programmes
– Voyager and Etihad
Guest
