SAA (South African Airways) announced on Twitter that they would be back in action from 23 September 2021.
The wait is finally over. In just under a month, the striking and familiar livery of SAA will once again be visible in the skies as the airline resumes operations. The carrier has confirmed the first flights will commence on Thursday, 23 of September 2021. #FlySAA pic.twitter.com/6fkmL5z6Ym
— SAA – South Africa (@flysaa) August 25, 2021
The airline hasn’t taken to the skies since early last year. In May 2020, the South African government announced the airline would be shutting down. and it has since been in a state of limbo.
Before shutting down, SAA had started incurring large losses of revenue, operating income and profit.
The carrier has been in a state of limbo since last year, with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic further hampering its recovery.
SAA came out of business rescue at the end of April this year.
In June 2021, the government announced that in an attempt to revive the airline, it had entered into a partnership with the Takatso Consortium. The Consortium is set to hold a 51% controlling stake after conclusion of purchase agreement negotiations.
The consortium comprises Harith General Partners, a leading Pan African investor in African infrastructure and global aviation.
Takatso CEO Gidon Novick announced on Thursday that due diligence had been done and they’re ready to move ahead with concluding the purchase.
“The agreement will be subject to various approvals and pre-conditions which are likely to take some time,” the consortium said in a statement.
According to Takatso, the consortium provided input into the SAA business plan, but at this stage it is not involved in the management or funding of SAA or any plans to relaunch the airline.
It is anticipated that the consortium would have to plough in at least R3 billion into the new SAA over the next three years.
SAA Delighted To Resume Service
“After months of diligent work, we are delighted that SAA is resuming service, and we look forward to welcoming onboard our loyal passengers and flying the South African flag. We continue to be a safe carrier and adhering to COVID-19 protocols” said Interim CEO Thomas Kgokolo.
SAA said they would start operating flights from Johannesburg to Cape Town, Accra, Kinshasa, Harare, Lusaka and Maputo.
“Voyager bookings and Travel Credit Voucher redemption will be available from Monday, 6 September 2021,” the airline said, adding that it would add more routes with time depending on the market.