South African Airways expected to increase its flight schedule soon

South African Airways is set to grow its schedule on several routes in its route network in the coming months. 

This is a result of the airline acquiring more aircraft and working carefully with its recovery plan.

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS GROWTH STRATEGY

Addressing the media in Johannesburg on 2 July, South African Airways acting CEO John Lamola said the national carrier would double its current route network and grow its fleet by at least 30% in under 18 months.

This is part of a recovery strategy being worked with, after the cancelled strategic partnership with Takatso Consortium.

Lamola spoke during a media briefing at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Wings of Change Focus Africa Conference (WOCFA) held in Johannesburg.

PROCEEDING RESPONSIBLY

Lamola said that SAA’s fleet plan was based on carefully chosen network expansion that takes into account the fact that state support for the airline no longer exists.

He stated that the airline has to survive on positive cashflows. It is not able to spend money it does not have.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS

Speaking to Carla Da Silva, South African Airways General Manager for Global Sales and Marketing, we learned about some of the airline’s future developments.

Initially, it will increase operations on domestic routings. This is a result of additional aircraft arriving in the fleet.

China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings has already supplied the first of three Airbus A320s to South African Airways. This enables the airline to reconstitute its fleet.

Aircraft deliveries will be staggered over the next few months. However, the arrival of new aircraft allows South African Airways to expand flight operations.

This is indeed good news for passengers who can count on efficient and affordable air services offered by the national carrier.   

OPTIMISED FLIGHT SCHEDULE

South African Airways is eager to get back to its core business of providing effective and reliable transport for South African and international passengers.

“SAA is dedicated to optimizing our flight schedule, to ensure connectivity for our customers across South Africa and Southern Africa,” Da Silva said.

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS NETWORK EXPANSION

The arrival of additional aircraft will enable the airline to add capacity to existing routes through increased frequencies.

Furthermore, it will also allow the national carrier to explore options for opening up new routes and reinstating others.

Initially, however, these are likely to be destinations on the African continent.

“We will announce other new destinations in Africa in the future – as part of our efforts to restore our presence to its former reach,” Da Silva stated.

KEEPING AN EYE ON SUSTAINABILITY

She said that the airline is indeed mindful that its operations must not rely on the taxpayer to fund expansion.

“These expansions and focused densifications are carefully selected to be commercially viable, ensuring that we provide convenient and reliable travel options for both inbound and outbound, or connecting travellers.” Da Silva said.

DIRECT FLIGHTS TO INDIA

It has been reported that air services between South Africa and India are expected to resume within months.

At the Africa Travel Indaba 2024 held in May, Airports Company of South Africa CEO Mpumi Mpofu said that the relevant stakeholders were addressing this matter.

According to Sustainability in the Sky, Mpofu said this should resolved by the end of the year.

South African Airways’ Tebogo Tsimane also indicated earlier this year that the airline was keen to resume the route.

Thus, depending on the pace of these discussions, South African Airways might soon be in a position to reintroduce these flights.