Africa: Kenya Airways and South African Airways were to finalize their plan to create a pan-African airline in 2024

Kenya Airways and South African Airways were to finalize plans to establish a pan-African airline in 2024, Business Daily reported on Monday (March 27), citing a spokesperson for the Kenyan flag carrier.

“Both airlines are finalizing their restructuring plans which are expected to be completed by 2024. The restructuring is an important process which when finalized will lead to the formation of the pan-African air carrier in 2024,” Kenya Airways said in a response. emailed to the English-language business daily.

Kenya Airways has also indicated that it is currently reviewing the terms of setting up the joint venture with South African Airways.

Plans to create a pan-African carrier owned by Kenya Airways and South African Airways were first mooted about three years ago. The two companies then signed a strategic partnership agreement in November 2021, which marks a step forward in this project. No timetable has yet been unveiled for the finalization of this partnership under which each company will retain its legal personality and will be able to establish commercial alliances with other carriers.

The creation of a pan-African airline should open up new opportunities for Kenya Airways and South African Airways in terms of passenger and cargo traffic. It would also allow the two loss-making companies to reduce their operational costs by pooling maintenance, training and supply expenses.