Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - Question about connecting flights Asia to Africa

Hi,

I am trying to fly with a friend from Beijing, China to Maputo Mozambique.

Most flights seem to go via JNB.

I have found a cheap ticket from PEK -> JNB on Singapore Airlines and hope to try and find a 2nd cheap ticket from JNB -> MPM.

My friend holds a passport that does not allow him to enter South Africa without a visa - which is a hassle to get and includes a crazy USD 2,000 deposit (at the South African embassy) that doesn't get returned for 3 months! (I have had to do this before, so it really does work this way!)

My question is, if I buy two separate tickets (PEK<->JNB and JNB<->MPM that would only require stopovers of a few hours in JNB, is it possible not to deal with immigration and just transit through - even though the tickets are purchased separately?

Otherwise, the choice is possibly to fly Cathay from HKG and then SAA for the two legs from HKG to MPM. But, have the same problem if baggage can't get checked all the way through 'cause my friend will need a visa for HKG too....


Sorry in advance if this question isn't appropriate for this forum - I just didn't know where else to ask to get a trustworthy reply.

thanks!

My question is, if I buy two separate tickets (PEK<->JNB and JNB<->MPM that would only require stopovers of a few hours in JNB, is it possible not to deal with immigration and just transit through - even though the tickets are purchased separately?



You'll have to find carriers with interlining agreements, which shouldn't be a problem with SA --> SA (via HKG - obviously) or SQ --> SA (via SIN). CX does interline with SA as well, in which case your friend could just stay in transit.

If the immigration rules for SA state that your friend needs a transit visa, then when you are checking in in Beijing, the airline may not allow passage as the fines for airlines carrying illegal passengers are heavy.

What about flights on Kenya Airways via Nairobi. It does mean that you have to fly from Guanghzo (sp?), or on Emirates via Dubai to Nairobi and then connect to MPM.