After returning to the skies following 18 months of non-operation and restructuring, South African Airways (SAA) said that it has seen steady, sustainable growth and will launch two new routes, Lubumbashi in the DRC and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania , from its hub in Johannesburg in November.
The national flag carrier entered business rescue in December 2019 and returned to the skies on September 23, 2021, with six aircrafts and routes.
According to the national carrier, it has more than doubled its route network and tripled its fleet size three years later.
Celebrating 3 years since the restart, Interim CEO, Professor John Lamola said they are proud that between August 2022 and August 2024, they have grown the airline to 16 aircraft flying 15 routes, with a 400% growth in passenger revenues during that period.
To date, we have reopened 11 outstations, including Mauritius, Perth in Australia, and So Paulo in Brazil. Post-Covid, our employment offering has expanded from 500 to around 1 200 staff, including 140 pilots, said Professor Lamola.
