Angolan airline Transportes Aéreos Angolano (TAAG) has entered into a new strategic codeshare agreement with South African Airways.
Although aimed at strengthening regional and international pax travel, it marks a significant milestone for aviation across Southern Africa with expanded airfreight options as a possibility, a statement has said.
The partnership, now in effect with ticket sales open and flights operating, is designed to offer passengers smoother travel experiences while broadening both airlines’ reach throughout Africa, Europe and South America.
Under the arrangement, SAA will place its flight code on TAAG-operated services linking Johannesburg and Cape Town with Angola’s capital.
The agreement also includes long-haul routes from Luanda to Lisbon, Portugal, and São Paulo, Brazil.
In return, TAAG will gain access to several key destinations within SAA’s regional network, including Durban, Gqeberha, Cape Town, Harare and Lusaka.
With systems integration completed by both carriers, the roll-out is set to be seamless, allowing customers to benefit from coordinated services such as integrated check-in, smoother baggage transfers, and the convenience of purchasing a single ticket in their local currency.
According to both airlines, the codeshare agreement supports joint marketing and ticket sales, effectively expanding their combined route networks and creating more travel opportunities for leisure and business passengers alike.
The partnership arrives at a pivotal time for the region, aviation analysts have told Transport & Logistics Zambia, citing improved air links as crucial for economic recovery, tourism growth, and facilitating increased trade between African markets and global partners.
TAAG chief executive Nelson Rodrigues de Oliveira described the collaboration as an important step forward, noting that it strengthened continental connectivity while opening the door to strategic international destinations.
He emphasised that the agreement reinforced Angola’s role as an emerging regional hub and aligned with TAAG’s long-term growth objectives and market expansion strategy.
SAA Group CEO, Professor John Lamola, described the partnership as a major milestone for African aviation as the sector continued to rebuild its networks and capacity.
Lamola said the collaboration extended SAA’s reach, enhanced the passenger experience, and created new commercial pathways vital for economic development. He added that improved connectivity would help support tourism, investment, cultural exchange, and the movement of people and goods across the continent.
