Kenya Airways and Qatar Airways have signed an agreement to market each other’s flights, a move that will expand access for their clients to 19 destinations in Africa and Asia.
The codeshare deal began on Monday, and flights operated by the two airlines becoming available from October 26.
In a codeshare partnership, two or more airlines sell tickets for a flight operated by one of them, generating more revenue and improving connectivity for travellers.
“Qatar Airways and Kenya Airways announce the launch of codeshare flights to 19 destinations, with more set to be added in the near future,” the two airlines said in a joint statement.
“Kenya Airways customers can book codeshare flights between Nairobi and Doha, as well as to 10 destinations connecting through the award-winning Hamad International Airport. Similarly, Qatar Airways customers now have access to eight destinations in Kenya Airways’ network, connecting through three daily flights between Doha and Nairobi.”
In the deal, Kenya Airways will sell tickets for flights operated by Qatar Airways in Asia including Bahrain, Colombo (Sri Lanka), Doha (Qatar), Dhaka (Bangladesh), Islamabad and Karachi (Pakistan) and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). Others are Malé (Maldives), Muscat (Oman), Singapore, and Tokyo Narita (Japan).
Qatar Airways will also market Kenya Airways’ flights to Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire), Accra (Ghana), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Lilongwe (Malawi), Livingstone (Zambia), Juba (South Sudan), Nampula (Mozambique), and Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe).
“We are pleased with the significant progress made in just a few months since the partnership initiated with Kenya Airways, and this enhancement is a testament of the collaborative efforts which further strengthens our presence in Kenya and the African continent,” Qatar Airways chief commercial officer Thierry Antinori said.
“The recent addition of Qatar Airways’ third daily flight to Nairobi also serves as another cornerstone of this partnership that is driven by strong demand from passengers seeking reliable and seamless connectivity.”
Kenya Airways chief commercial and customer officer Julius Thairu said the partnership will significantly enhance connectivity especially across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, and expand the national carrier’s flight offerings.
Qatar Airways says it will be able to expand its footprint within the African continent, providing passengers from more than 170 destinations across the globe with easier access to key leisure and business destinations served by Kenya Airways.
Kenya Airways passengers will also be able to connect to multiple destinations in 10 countries across Asia and the Middle East through Hamad International Airport.
Additionally, Qatar Airways Privilege Club members will earn Avios (reward points) on the codeshare flights operated by Kenya Airways.
The two airlines will continue to collaborate on codeshares, airport operations, lounges, sustainability and procurement. Future phases of collaboration will include network development, cargo, and aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul.
