SAA spreading wings to Durban again in March

South African Airways (SAA) exited a lengthy and turbulent business rescue process in April last year. The airline restarted scheduled operations from its Johannesburg hub in late September 2021.

The relaunched national carrier resumed operations last year, with a thinned down route network in its bid to become independent and economically sustainable. SAA’s network consisted of only a few regional routes and just one domestic route.   

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SAA EXPANDS ROUTE NETWORK

Last September, the airline restarted scheduled operations with flights between Johannesburg and Lusaka, Harare, Kinshasa and Accra. It also relaunched domestic flights between Johannesburg and Cape Town. The airline still only offers one domestic route at this point in time.

Gradually, the airline has been adding more destinations to its route network. SAA added Lagos and Mauritius to its route network later last year. The airline’s Simon Newton-Smith said that the company is using data to drive the expansion of its route network.

RELAUNCHING DURBAN ROUTE

Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town are the country’s largest cities with the need for regular cargo and passenger transportation to and from these cities. It is important for the national carrier to be able to connect these cities, known as the golden triangle, by offering scheduled flights between them.

“We have been constantly evaluating our route performance and waiting for the data to guide us on the timing or the Durban relaunch. We are delighted that the time is now right to add this important route back to the SAA network and further support the recovery of South Africa’s business and tourism sectors,” SAA said, as quoted in News 24.

OPERATING RESPONSIBLY

Management and the interim board at SAA are attempting to overhaul the airline’s image by operating responsibly and transparently.

The carrier has been refunding unused tickets as well as enabling members of the airline’s loyalty programme, SAA Voyager, to use their miles for flights on the relaunched airline.

SAA’s interim board says it will also use all necessary channels to reclaim looted funds mentioned in the State Capture report.

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