South African Airways Expands Fleet to 20 Aircraft and Enhances Service Across Africa

South African Airways Expands Fleet to 20 Aircraft and Enhances Service Across Africa

(IN SHORT) South African Airways (SAA) has successfully expanded its fleet to 20 aircraft, adding two leased Airbus A320s from AerCap. This growth is a significant milestone for the airline, which began its recovery with only six aircraft three years ago. As part of its expansion strategy, SAA is increasing flight frequencies on several routes and plans to add five more aircraft in 2025. New connections, such as the Dar es Salaam-Johannesburg route, and increased services to Harare, Lusaka, Lagos, Accra, Kinshasa, and Lubumbashi, are part of the airline’s efforts to enhance access and facilitate trade across Africa.

(PRESS RELEASE) Johannesburg, South Africa, 2025-Jan-22 — /Travel PR News/ — South African Airways (SAA) has made notable strides in expanding its fleet, bringing two additional aircraft into service over the past two weeks, marking a milestone in the airline’s recovery. With this expansion, SAA’s fleet now totals 20 aircraft—a remarkable achievement considering the airline’s modest fleet of just six planes when it emerged from business rescue a little over three years ago.

Professor John Lamola, interim CEO of SAA, emphasized the significance of this achievement: “This is a momentous step for us. Since 2021, we have made strategic and steady progress in growing our fleet and expanding our route network sustainably. These new aircraft will allow us to continue increasing seat capacity on both domestic and regional routes, further contributing to more affordable air travel for our passengers.”

The two newly leased Airbus A320s, featuring the airline’s signature livery, have arrived in Johannesburg from AerCap, a leading global aircraft leasing company based in Ireland. This addition highlights SAA’s growing financial stability and its strengthened relationships with key international aviation finance institutions, reflecting a positive shift in the airline’s credit status.

In a climate marked by a post-COVID-19 supply chain crisis, which has caused delays in new aircraft deliveries and a scarcity of second-hand planes, the arrival of these aircraft is an important milestone. SAA’s fleet, now 20 strong, also includes wide-body A330s and long-range A343s, which are essential for the airline’s two intercontinental routes: Johannesburg to São Paulo and Perth, as well as Cape Town to São Paulo.

Looking ahead, SAA is planning further fleet expansion in 2025, with five additional aircraft set to be added to its roster.

“As we enter a phase of consolidation, we are focusing on increasing flight frequencies to enhance our existing route network. This will provide South African leisure and business travellers with greater access to major African cities. SAA Cargo also plays a crucial role in facilitating trade links between key economic hubs both across Africa and internationally,” Lamola noted.

In line with its growth strategy, SAA is also expanding its route offerings. Starting on January 20, 2025, the airline will launch a new connection between Dar es Salaam and Johannesburg. Additionally, flight frequencies to Harare (Zimbabwe) and Lusaka (Zambia) will increase to 12 times per week, up from 10 and seven respectively. SAA has also boosted its services to Lagos (Nigeria) and Accra (Ghana) from three to four times per week, and is now flying to Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo) five times weekly. Furthermore, SAA began service to Lubumbashi, DRC’s mining hub, in November 2024.

About South African Airways

With 90 years in the skies, South African Airways (SAA) is the most awarded Skytrax airline in Africa and the proud carrier of the South African flag, linking domestic, regional and international destinations. SAA flies from Johannesburg to Abidjan, Accra, Durban, Cape Town, Gqeberha, Harare, Kinshasa, Lusaka, Lubumbashi, Lagos, Mauritius, Windhoek, Victoria Falls, São Paulo (from Cape Town and Johannesburg) and Perth.

Since first taking to the skies in 1934, SAA has grown to include a passenger airline, a cargo transport service and related services provided through its wholly owned subsidiaries, SAA Technical (SAAT) and Air Chefs. SAAT delivers high-quality maintenance services, major airframe checks, engine overhauls, mechanical components, avionics and line maintenance to SAA and third parties. Air Chefs provides in-flight, airline lounges and other catering services to the airline and third parties.

Web: www.flysaa.com

SAA social media:

Media Contacts:

Ms Vimla Maistry
Email: VimlaMaistry@flysaa.com
Mobile: +27 83 324 3620

Mr Khaya Buthelezi
Email: KhayaButhelezi@flysaa.com
Mobile: +27 71 364 7296

Source: South African Airways

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