JOHANNESBURG, 2015-6-1 — /Travel PR News/ — South African Airways (SAA) the leading carrier on the African continent, has – in what is a significant achievement for the airline – strengthened its position in West Africa, with the upcoming introduction of a second West African country linking air travel to North America.
“Following months of SAA efforts and preparations and the successful negotiations between the governments of Ghana and South Africa, we are pleased that we can now fly our customers between Ghana and the United States of America from August 2015 onwards.
“This is a major development and achievement for the airline as part of our Long-Term Turnaround Strategy where we have set growth on the African continent as one of our key objectives. With a strong presence in West Africa, in the form of nonstop services between Accra and Washington D.C. and through our airline partnerships our customers will soon have access to further destinations in West Africa,” says Nico Bezuidenhout, South African Airways Acting CEO.
“The granting of traffic rights by the Ghana government enables SAA to transport customers between Accra and Washington. As current supply is limited, forcing the majority of customers in Ghana to travel via Europe to reach North America, the SAA’s introduction of non-stop services from Ghana will considerably reduce travel times,” says Kendy Phohleli, SAA Executive Africa Hub Projects.
Customers will also be able to experience 4 Star Skytrax rated airline service to North America, serving the West African community, a service which offers world-class quality, product and service standards which has enabled SAA to be awarded a 4-Star rating by Skytrax for 13 consecutive years.
Not only has SAA added Ghana as a second entry point in West Africa, the airline, has – true to its promise of improving inter-connectivity on the continent – entered into a bi-lateral codeshare agreement with Africa World Airlines. This airline partnership will offer SAA customers from Washington and Johannesburg seamless connectivity via Accra to other destinations in Ghana such as Kumasi, Takoradi, and Tamale as well as to Lagos, Nigeria.
Africa World Airlines is the fastest growing airline in Ghana which operates domestic and regional flights in West Africa and is based at Kotoka International Airport in Accra. The airline was recently awarded“Domestic Airline of the Year” in Ghana.
From Washington SAA offers convenient connections to and from over 50 markets in the U.S. and Canada through its airline partners United Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and Virgin America.
SAA currently operates daily flights between Johannesburg and Accra. Effective 2 August 2015 the schedule will be reconfigured as follows:
- Four of the weekly Accra flights will continue onwards to Washington;
- Three of the weekly Accra flights will continue onwards to Abidjan, Ivory Coast;
- Three of the current weekly flights to Washington will continue operating from Johannesburg, via Dakar, Senegal.
The Accra – Washington route will be served by A340-600s on Monday/Wednesday/Friday and Sundays, featuring 42 full-flat 180° beds in Premium Business Class and 275 seats in Economy Class.
Flight Schedule:
| Flight | Day of the week | Departs | Arrives | Departs | Arrives |
| SA209 | Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday | Johannesburg 17:25 | Accra 22:45 | Accra 22:45 | Washington 06:05 the next day |
| SA210 | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday | Washington 17:40 | Accra 07:40 | Accra 08:40 | Johannesburg 16:30 |
| SA052 | Saturday | Johannesburg 16:55 | Accra 21:15 | ||
| SA053 | Saturday | Accra 22:30 | Johannesburg 06:20 the next day | ||
| SA056 | Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday | Johannesburg 12:50 | Accra 17:10 | Accra 07:40 | Abidjan 19:10 |
| SA057 | Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday | Abidjan 20:10 | Accra 22:25 | Accra 22:30 | Johannesburg 06:20 the next day |
*Schedule is subject to Ghana CAA government approval
-ENDS-
About South African Airways (SAA)
South African Airways (SAA) is the leading carrier in Africa, serving 56 destinations, in partnership with SA Express, SA Airlink and its low cost carrier, Mango, within South Africa and across the continent, and nine intercontinental routes from its Johannesburg hub. It is a member of the largest international airline network, Star Alliance. SAA’s core business is the provision of passenger airline and cargo transport services together with related services, which are provided through SAA and its wholly owned subsidiaries: SAA Technical; Mango its low cost carrier; and Air Chefs, the catering entity of SAA. SAA is the winner of the ‘Best Airline in Africa’ Award in the regional category for twelve consecutive years and the winner of ‘Service Excellence Africa’ for three years. Mango and SAA hold the number one and number two successive spots as South Africa’s most on – time airlines.
SAA’s A340-600 aircraft
SAA flights will be operated on wide-body Airbus A340-600 aircraft, featuring 42 full-flat 180° beds in Premium Business Class and 275 seats in Economy Class, ergonomically designed with adjustable headrests and industry-leading legroom of up to 34” for long-haul travel. Customers traveling in both Premium Business Class and Economy Class will enjoy an extensive menu of on-demand audio and visual entertainment options, freshly prepared meals, and complimentary bar service featuring award-winning South African wines.
For Media Enquiries Please Contact:
SAA:
Tlali Tlali (Mr)
tlalitlali@flysaa.com
+27 82 333 3880
+27 11 978 2298