South African Airways plans to resume passenger flights on 23 September, restoring services after a major restructuring and the continued impact of the pandemic on air travel demand.
It comes as fellow South African operator Comair, which suspended flights early in July amid heightened travel restrictions in the country, has today said it will resume flights from 1 September.
Source: SAA
Earlier in August, South African aviation regulators restored SAA's operating licence, paving the way for it to resume services. The airline had suspended flights at the end of September 2020 amid mounting financial problems before a state R10.7 billion ($750 million) rescue funding package was agreed.
Ticket sales resume from 26 August and SAA will initially operate flights from Johannesburg to Cape Town, Accra, Kinshasa, Harare, Lusaka and Maputo. It says it will add more destinations in response to market conditions.
SAA's interim chief executive Thomas Kgokolo says: "After months of diligent work, we are delighted that SAA is resuming services and we look forward to welcoming on board our loyal passengers and flying the South African flag.
"There is a profound feeling of enthusiasm within Team SAA as we prepare for take-off, with one common purpose – to rebuild and sustain a profitable airline that once again takes a leadership role among local, continental, and international airlines."
SAA entered a formal business rescue process in late 2019, but efforts to restructure the carrier were further complicated by the pandemic's disruption to global travel. The airline came out of the business rescue process in April and the South African Government agreed a deal to sell a 51% stake in the airline to a consortium of local investors in June.
Kgokolo has previously indicated SAA will initially operate a fleet of around eight aircraft as it restarts operations.
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