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 size13
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 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.