Kenya Airways–CemAir: Strategic Interline Deal Expands Reach Across Southern & East Africa
Kenya Airways (KQ) and South African regional carrier CemAir (5Z) have signed a strategic interline agreement aimed at deepening air connectivity across the African continent, offering travellers more seamless routing options through Johannesburg (JNB) and Cape Town (CPT).
Under the new arrangement, Kenya Airways passengers will gain access to CemAir’s regional network spanning ten domestic South African destinations — including Bloemfontein, Hoedspruit, and Kimberley — as well as four regional points such as Maun, Victoria Falls, and Harare. In turn, CemAir customers will be able to connect onto Kenya Airways flights to 15 destinations across Africa, among them major hubs including Dar es Salaam, Addis Ababa, Entebbe, Accra, and Abidjan. Both sets of travellers will benefit from single-ticket itineraries and coordinated connections, reducing friction across multi-leg journeys.
Captain George Kamal, Acting Group Managing Director & CEO of Kenya Airways, described the deal as a reflection of the airline’s broader continental ambitions.
“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.”
CemAir CEO Miles van der Molen echoed the sentiment, noting that the agreement elevates what was already an established relationship.
“Our combined networks and strengths create a solid foundation for future growth and connectivity across the continent and beyond.”
The partnership is underpinned by Kenya Airways’ existing strong presence in South Africa, with the carrier currently operating three daily flights to Johannesburg and nine weekly flights to Cape Town from Nairobi — providing a robust feed into the expanded network.
The agreement forms part of Kenya Airways’ wider strategy to grow its footprint through targeted partnerships that deliver tangible value for passengers navigating Africa’s increasingly connected skies.
