Kenya Airways and CemAir Sign Interline Agreement to Expand Connectivity into South Africa Nairobi, Kenya March 18, 2026_ Kenya Airways (KQ), Kenya's national carrier, today announced the signing of a strategic interline agreement with CemAir (5Z), a leading South African regional airline. This partnership will significantly expand the airline's network by enabling seamless connections via Johannesburg (JNB) and Cape Town (CPT), further strengthening connectivity across key markets in Africa.
Under this agreement, KQ customers will now have access to Cemair's network on key routes from Johannesburg to ten domestic destinations including; Bloemfontein, Hoedspruit and Kimberley within South Africa, as well as 4 regional points such as Maun, Victoria Falls, and Harare. Similarly, CemAir customers will benefit from seamless connections onto Kenya Airways flights to 15 destinations across Africa, including major hubs such as Dar es Salaam, Addis Ababa, Entebbe, Accra, and Abidjan. This will allow them to enjoy single-ticket itineraries and coordinated connections, creating a smoother travel experience across multiple African markets.
"We are pleased to partner with CemAir to further expand our network and offer our customers more seamless travel options across the continent," said Captain George Kamal, Ag. Group Managing Director & CEO, Kenya Airways. "This collaboration reflects our continued commitment to connecting Africa's people, cultures, and markets, while creating opportunities that support the growth and prosperity of the regions we serve."
Miles van der Molen, Chief Executive Officer of CemAir, added, "We are delighted to be upgrading our longstanding relationship with Kenya Airways to a strategic partnership. Our combined networks and strengths create a solid foundation for future growth and connectivity across the continent and beyond, and we look forward to deepening this collaboration for the benefit of our customers."
Kenya Airways currently operates three daily flights to Johannesburg and 9 weekly flights to Cape Town from Nairobi, providing strong feed into the expanded network opportunity enabled by this partnership. This collaboration aligns with Kenya Airways' ongoing strategy to grow its network through partnerships that deliver greater connectivity and value for passengers across the continent and beyond.
-ENDS- About Kenya AirwaysKenya Airways (KQ), The Pride of Africa, is a leading African carrier on a mission to propel Africa's prosperity by connecting its people, cultures, and markets. We fly to 42 destinations worldwide, 33 of which are in Africa, connecting over 5 million passengers and over 70,000 Tons of cargo annually through our Hub at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
As the sole African carrier in the SkyTeam Alliance, we open up a world of possibilities for our customers, connecting them to over 1,060 destinations in 173 countries. We take pride in offering a delightful flying experience with a caring African touch. Our exceptional African hospitality has consistently earned us global recognition including the prestigious Skytrax World Airline Awards where we were honoured with the Best Airline Staff and Best Airline Cabin Crew in Africa in 2024.
About CemAir
CemAir is South Africa's second-largest airline by number of flights, operating with key bases in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, the airline connects travellers to 16 destinations across South Africa and the region, offering vital links between major cities, coastal escapes, and remote hubs. CemAir is a member of IATA and holds interline and codeshare agreements with 10 international and regional carriers, providing passengers with greater flexibility and seamless travel connections. Known for its commitment to safety, reliability, and customer-focused service, CemAir continues to grow its network while delivering a full-service experience tailored to both business and leisure travellers.
Contact Details:
Corporate Communications Department
Email: Corporate.communications@kenya-airways.com
