SunExpress, a joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa, has taken a significant step by expanding its partnership with South African Airways (SAA). According to the official announcement, SunExpress will double the number of aircraft leased to SAA and provide four Boeing 737-800 aircraft, along with cockpit and technical crews, to SAA for a six-month period.
As part of the collaboration, the leased aircraft will feature a new cabin configuration with 16 business class and 159 economy class seats. The first aircraft will begin operations in early November, allowing SAA to better respond to increasing customer demand.
Increased Capacity with 134 Weekly Flights
With its expanded fleet, SunExpress will offer SAA more flight capacity. In the new period, SunExpress will operate 134 weekly flights on three different routes, contributing to a broader network for SAA. This expansion aims to provide passengers with more travel options while enhancing operational efficiency.
Strengthening the Partnership Through a Training Program
The two airlines emphasized that their partnership goes beyond aircraft leasing. As they enter the second year of their agreement, SunExpress organized a specialized training program for SAA cabin crews in Antalya. This training, which began in September, aims to improve the operational excellence of SAA personnel.
“Managing Seasonality While Growing Our Fleet”
SunExpress CEO Max Kownatzki expressed his satisfaction with the expanded partnership, saying, “Doubling the number of aircraft we lease to SAA helps us better manage the effects of seasonality while growing our fleet. At the same time, the specialized training we provide to SAA reflects our shared vision for operational excellence.” Kownatzki also expressed excitement about new opportunities arising from the strengthened partnership.
SAA CEO: “SunExpress is a Reliable Partner”
SAA CEO John Lamola highlighted the reliability of SunExpress’s service since their initial collaboration last year. Lamola stated, “We are pleased to expand our partnership with SunExpress by leasing two additional aircraft during our peak season. These extra planes will allow us to better meet customer demand and help us overcome global challenges in securing aircraft.” He also expressed satisfaction with the specialized training received by their cabin crew in Antalya, which will enable them to deliver higher standards of service and safety to customers.
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