South African Airways (SAA) is contemplating a move to restore codeshare flights with RwandAir (WB), an official from SAA has said.

SAA Head of Group Corporate Affairs, Fani Zulu, told Business Times in an email interview that SAA’s partner airline, SA Express (SAX), has applied for the rights to operate the Johannesburg-Kigali route.

SA Express forms part of the strong South African Airways alliance. The airline is operationally independent of SAA. Its flights are incorporated within the alliance and the airline uses SAA reservations and check-in facilities.

RwandAir’s CEO, Rene Janata confirmed that a codeshare deal between the two airlines was possible but he decline to divulge the details. 

He said that they are expecting more competition in Rwanda’s aviation industry but it will not affect the national carrier’s operations.

"Competition is always good but we will be looking forward to partnering with them in an organised manner rather than competing with them,” Janata said.
He added that RwandAir is likely to reschedule some of its flights to avoid operating the same flying schedules with the said airlines. 

RwandAir also has Interline Agreements with Kenya Airways, KLM, SN Brussels, Air Tanzania, Precision Air, and Ethiopian Airways.

RwandAir began operations on 1st December 2002 as a national carrier for Rwanda with a concession to carry out airport ground handling at Kigali International airport.

In March 2009, the company registered a new trademark "RwandAir” which is its current operating name.

Ends