After suspending operations for about a year, South Africa’s national carrier–South African Airways is ready to take off again. The airline has confirmed bookings and travel credit redemption open from September 6th while flights will resume on September 23, 2021.
In its official announcement, the airline reported that SAA will initially operate flights from its Johannesburg hub to Cape Town, Accra, Kinshasa, Harare, Lusaka and Maputo and that more destinations will be added to the route network as it ramps up operations in response to market conditions.
Interim CEO Thomas Kgokolo says, “After months of diligent work, we are delighted that SAA is resuming service and we look forward to welcoming on board our loyal passengers and flying the South African flag. We continue to be a safe carrier and adhering to COVID-19 protocols.
There is a profound feeling of enthusiasm within Team SAA as we prepare for takeoff, with one common purpose – to rebuild and sustain a profitable airline that once again takes a leadership role among local, continental, and international airlines.”
According SAA’s Board, John Lamola, this is the relaunching of a restructured and fit for purpose airline that South Africans can again be proud of. “The airline is restarting with a formidable business case”
SAA has 8 commercial aircraft on its renewed Air Operator’s Certificate and according to Ch-Aviation these include three A319-100s leased from Castlelake, two A320-200 owned by Goshawk, one A330-300 leased from Aergo Capital and two A340-600s