SAA Strives Returning to Lofty Heights with 6 New Aircraft to be Leased

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John Lamola, South Africa Airways (SAA) interim Chief Executive Officer, CEO

The management of South African Airways, SAA, has begun making frantic efforts to reposition the airline for its erstwhile leadership role in Africa through a drastic improvement in its quality of service delivery, and systematic route expansion beginning from the last quarter of the year, 2023.

SAA interim Chief Executive Officer, CEO, John Lamola, reported in his performance report for September that, the airline was rebuilding its fleet and network by the addition of five Airbus A320s, an A330, and two Boeing 737-800s, to be used for network restoration ahead of the busy Christmas season.

John Lamola in his update for September reported a modest improvement in its route expansion since returning to service in September 2021 thus, “Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town have increased and are now surpassing pre-pandemic levels”.

Recall that when SAA relaunched in September 2021, it operated just four routes. Since then, its network has now grown to 13 domestic and regional destinations.

According to Lamola, the modest route expansion recorded was made possible by the current equipment comprising of seven aircraft, including five A320s, one A330, and one A340.

On SAA’s equipment expansion streak, Lamola thus added, “Following technical checks and maintenance, the recently arrived A320 will bring this figure up to eight”.

He further narrated in his submission that, “the recent leasing of an Airbus A320 forms part of SAA’s strategic expansion plans, with its long-term vision being the leasing of six new aircraft to meet the demand for domestic flights, providing passengers with additional travel options”.

Lamola disclosed that, with the remaining four A320s and another A330 due to arrive soon, its fleet will comprise 13 aircraft, excluding two Boeing 737-800s, which are expected later this year,” he submitted.

SAA helmsman announced thus, “Our return to the international skies is proof of our positive progress over the past two years, and I am confident that in the coming years, we will be able to open new routes both domestically and internationally,” he quipped.