South African Airways commences network changes

South African Airways (SAA) is progressively implementing its turnaround plan by implementing network remediation strategies.
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SAA has already made known its intention to introduce network enhancements which are in line with the implementation of  its newly developed five-year Corporate Plan in order to improve schedule efficiencies. These plans were shared with various stakeholders in the travel industry, the shareholder and parliament. Implementation of the five-year plan seeks to return the company to financial sustainability in the shortest time possible.

“There is every urgency to aggressively implement this turnaround plan in a manner that shows results in improved efficiencies and ensure schedule integrity for all our customers.  We are therefore monitoring route performance and have made some capacity adjustments to align our schedule and frequency for sustainable and profitable outcomes.

“Demand in Central Africa has remained at levels similar to last year due to slow economic growth in the region. Our intention therefore is to maintain our presence in these markets, and we have initiated discussions with our partners to decide on the best option to serve these markets,” says Tlali Tlali, SAA spokesperson.

Effective 29 October the schedule has been adjusted as follows:

Domestic network:

SAA to continue operating to Port Elizabeth and East London, with daily flights reduced from 4 to 2 to Port Elizabeth and from 3 to 2  to East London. 

Regional network reductions: 

Flights to Brazzaville, Pointe Noir and Libreville with connections onward to Cotonou and Douala are under review. SAA is evaluating options to reduce operations or down gauge aircraft type. 

Flights to Luanda (Angola) will be reduced from 7 to 4 per week and the aircraft type will be down gauged, and Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo) from 5 to 4 per week.

“These changes will enable SAA to revise its schedules and frequencies as and when needed in order to meet the ever changing demand patterns across its network,” concludes Tlali.