South African Airways and Brazilian carrier, TAM, implement code share flights
JOHANNESBURG, 29 August 2013. South African Airways (SAA), the most awarded airline on the African continent and TAM Airlines, one of the largest carriers in South America, have implemented a code share agreement.
SAA will place its designator code “SA” on flights operated by TAM from Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro, Porto Alegre, Curitiba, Brasília, Salvador, Florianopolis, Iguaçu Falls, Recife, Belo Horizonte.
Likewise, TAM will place its designator code “JJ” on flights operated by SAA between Sao Paulo and Johannesburg, and to other cities within South Africa, namely, Cape Town, Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth. SAA currently has eleven (11) flights per week between Johannesburg and Sao Paulo and has an extensive schedule from Johannesburg to these coastal South African cities.
“Alliances and partnerships of this nature forms a crucial part of modern airline management, which is about providing convenient connection for customers to as many destinations as possible without necessarily using your own resources. Moreover, this code share provides a platform to tap into the potential that lies in both carriers’ respective markets in a manner that would significantly enhance benefits for passengers of both airlines,” said Manoj Papa, SAA’s acting General Manager: Commercial.
The collaboration by the two airlines will not only offer leisure travellers a bouquet of holiday options, but also access to multiple business centres.
“This code share operation is vital in that customers travelling to and from various parts of Africa, South America and countries in the east are able to use SAA’s Johannesburg hub as a convenient connection point to various parts of the world,” elaborated Papa.
"We are seeking partnerships like this to offer our customers flights to all over the world," explained Soledad Berrios, LATAM Airlines Group Senior Vice President Strategic Alliances. "Together with South African Airways we will make travelling between Brazil and South Africa easier, and the countries will be the gateway of the South American and African continents," said Berrios.
Customers who are members of SAA’s loyalty programme, Voyager, will continue to earn miles and obtain tier status when travelling on TAM flights. Likewise, members of the TAM Fidelidade programme will also continue to earn and redeem points when they travel on SAA flights. This provides an opportunity for customers to spend miles exploring the various destinations offered by the two carriers.
Tickets went on sale on 28 August 2013 with travel set to commence on 02 September 2013.
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About SAA
South African Airways (SAA) is the leading carrier in Africa, serving 26 destinations across the continent, as well as major destinations within South Africa and internationally from its Johannesburg hub. It is a member of the largest international airline network, Star Alliance. SAA’s core business is the provision of passenger airline and cargo transport services together with related services, which are provided through SAA and its four wholly owned subsidiaries: SAA Technical; Mango its low cost carrier; Air Chefs, the catering entity of SAA, and South African Travel Centre (SATC). SAA is the winner of the 'Best Airline in Africa’ Award in the regional category for eleven consecutive years. Mango and SAA hold the number one and number two successive spots as South Africa’s most on-time airlines.
About LATAM Airlines Group S.A.
LATAM Airlines Group S.A. is the new name given to LAN Airlines S.A. as a result of its association with TAM S.A. LATAM Airlines Group S.A. now includes LAN Airlines and its affiliates in Peru, Argentina, Colombia and Ecuador, and LAN Cargo and its affiliates, as well as TAM S.A. and its subsidiaries TAM Linhas Aereas S.A., including its business units TAM Transportes Aereos del Mercosur S.A., (TAM Airlines (Paraguay) and Multiplus S.A. This association creates one of the largest airline groups in the world in terms of network connections, providing passenger transport services to about 135 destinations in 22 countries and cargo services to about 144 destinations in 27 countries, with a fleet of 321 aircraft. In total, LATAM Airlines Group S.A. has more than 53.000 employees and its shares are traded in Santiago, as well as on the New York Stock Exchange, in the form of ADRs, and Sao Paulo Stock Exchange, in the form of BDRs.
Each airline will continue to operate under their current brands and identities. For any inquiry of LAN or TAM, please visit www.lan.com or www.tam.com.br, respectively. Further information at www.latamairlinesgroup.net
For more information contact:
SAA Group Corporate Affairs
Tlali Tlali
Executive: Group Corporate Affairs
Tel: +27 11 978 3819
Mobile: +27 82 333 3880
Email: TlaliTlali@flysaa.com
Kabelo Ledwaba
Communication Manager (External)
Tel: +27 11 978 2760
Mobile: +27 83 414 4720
Email: KabeloLedwaba@flysaa.com
Digital
Website: www.flysaa.com
Twitter: @flysaa
Facebook: www.facebook.com/flysaa
TAM Airlines
PR Agency: Kreab Gavin Anderson
Tel: +55 11 5180-7300
Email: imprensa.tam@kreabgavinanderson.com
www.tamairlines.com