JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 6, 2026 — South African Airways is suing Kenya Airways for $1,372,745 (about R23m), plus interest and costs. SAA says the money comes from unpaid surcharges and overpaid commissions under the two airlines’ codeshare deal.
The claim
| Part | Amount |
|---|---|
| Unpaid YR/YQ surcharges (July 2022 to May 2024) | $1,116,403 |
| Overpaid codeshare commissions | $256,342 |
| Total | $1,372,745 |
Background
- Court step: in October 2026, SAA asked the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg for permission to serve Kenya Airways outside South Africa.
- It wants to serve the papers by email to four KQ addresses, or through the South African High Commission in Kenya.
- Agreements:
- A Special Prorate Agreement, signed in November 2021 and extended to November 2024.
- A Codeshare Agreement that sets a 7% commission for the marketing carrier.
- What SAA says KQ did:
- Began rejecting SAA’s surcharge billings around January 2023.
- Switched from sector-based to journey-based surcharge calculation, and confirmed this on Oct. 9, 2024.
- Never responded to SAA’s formal dispute, declared June 23, 2025, and did not take part in arbitration.
- Hearing date: TBA.
What it means for non-revs
Nothing in the reports says the codeshare or any staff travel arrangement between the two airlines has been suspended. A public legal fight between partners can still strain the relationship. If you rely on SAA–Kenya Airways connections, confirm your options before you travel.
Sources
- Sunday Times / TimesLIVE — SAA seeks R23m from Kenya Airways in bitter airline revenue dispute
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