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South African Airways

South African Airways
IATA ICAO Call sign
SA SAA SPRINGBOK
Founded24 July 1929; 95 years ago (1929-07-24)
(as Union Airways)
HubsO. R. Tambo International Airport
Secondary hubsCape Town International Airport
Frequent-flyer programVoyager
AllianceStar Alliance
Subsidiaries
  • Air Chefs
  • South African Airways Cargo
  • South African Airways Technical
  • Mango Airlines (formerly)
Fleet size20
Destinations15
Parent companyGovernment of South Africa
HeadquartersAirways Park, O. R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Key people
RevenueIncrease R5.7 billion (2022/23 FY)
Operating incomeIncrease R277 million (2022/23 FY)
ProfitIncrease R252 million (2022/23 FY)[3]
Total assetsIncrease R5.5 billion (2022/23 FY)
Websitewww.flysaa.com

South African Airways (SAA) is the flag carrier of South Africa.[4] Founded in 1929 as Union Airways it later rebranded to South African Airways in 1934, the airline is headquartered in Airways Park at O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and operates a hub-and-spoke network, serving 13 destinations in Africa and two intercontinental destinations to Perth, Australia and São Paulo, Brazil.[5] The carrier joined Star Alliance in April 2006, making it the first African carrier to sign with one of the three major airline alliances.[6]

The airline entered voluntary business rescue in December 2019 as a result of financial difficulties,[7] and suspended all operations the following year.[8] In June 2021, the South African government announced that SAA would be partially privatised in a Strategic Equity Partnership (SEP) transaction with the Takatso Consortium, which would hold a 51% controlling stake and 49% remaining with the State. After almost three years of protracted negotiations, the government terminated the SEP with Takatso, reverting back to the status quo of a 100% state-owned SAA.[9] The South African Civil Aviation Authority confirmed on 4 August 2021 that SAA's air operator's certificate had been reissued with an approved fleet of eight aircraft.[5]

The airline restarted operations on 23 September 2021,[10] despite not having concluded the investment agreement with the proposed private partners.[11] Nonetheless, SAA was recognised as the second best airline in Africa by Skytrax in 2021,[12] despite not having flown a single scheduled flight for 18 months.

Since emerging from business rescue, SAA has grown steadily, with a fleet capacity of 12 aircraft, 15 destinations and 2000 employees.[13]

  1. ^ "Derek Hanekom appointed as new SAA interim chair". news24. 17 April 2023. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  2. ^ "SAA appoints Lamola as new CEO". Eye Witness News (EWN). 29 April 2022. Archived from the original on 3 May 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  3. ^ "SAA counts R16 billion in losses over three years". 15 May 2020. Archived from the original on 30 September 2021. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  4. ^ "South African Airways | SA Airlines Flights & Specials". www.sa-airlines.co.za. Archived from the original on 16 November 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  5. ^ a b "South African Airways resecures its AOC ahead of restart". ch-aviation. 4 August 2021. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  6. ^ "Member Airline Details". www.staralliance.com. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  7. ^ "South African Airways is in business rescue: what comes next?". The Africa Report. 9 December 2019. Archived from the original on 30 September 2021. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  8. ^ "SAA administrators suspend all operations until funding found". Reuters. 29 September 2020. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  9. ^ "Takatso Consortium to own 51% of SAA". www.africaglobalfunds.com. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  10. ^ Alan Dron (24 September 2021). "South African Airways restarts service with limited route network". Routes Online. Archived from the original on 30 September 2021. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  11. ^ "Ahead of SAA take-off, Takatso makes it clear it is not (yet) involved". News24. 21 September 2021. Archived from the original on 30 September 2021. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  12. ^ "World's Top 100 Airlines 2021". Skytrax. Archived from the original on 28 September 2021. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  13. ^ Lamola, John (1 December 2023). "SAA in a healthier financial position than it has been in several years". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
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