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South African Airways
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{{Short description|Flag carrier of South Africa}}{{Use South African English|date=October 2012}}{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}







factoids
(as South African Airways)}}| headquarters = Airways Park, O. R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
| Derek Hanekom (Chairman),WEB, Derek Hanekom appointed as new SAA interim chair,weblink news24, 17 April 2023, 18 April 2023, 18 April 2023,weblink live,
| John Lamola (Interim CEO)WEB, SAA appoints Lamola as new CEO,weblink 29 April 2022, Eye Witness News (EWN), 4 May 2022, 3 May 2022,weblink live, }}
South African rand>R26.023 billion (2018/19 FY)South African rand>R–3.713 billion (2018/19 FY)South African rand>R–5.090 billion (2018/19 FY)SAA COUNTS R16 BILLION IN LOSSES OVER THREE YEARS>URL=HTTPS://BUSINESSTECH.CO.ZA/NEWS/GOVERNMENT/398403/SAA-COUNTS-R16-BILLION-IN-LOSSES-OVER-THREE-YEARS/ACCESS-DATE=30 SEPTEMBER 2021ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20210930071440/HTTPS://BUSINESSTECH.CO.ZA/NEWS/GOVERNMENT/398403/SAA-COUNTS-R16-BILLION-IN-LOSSES-OVER-THREE-YEARS/, live, South African rand>R15.916 billion (2016/17 FY)
| {{nowrap| Air Chefs {edih}
| {{nowrap| South African Airways Cargo }}
| {{nowrap| South African Airways Technical }}}}
www.flysaa.com}}}}South African Airways (SAA) is the flag carrier of South Africa.WEB, South African Airways {{!, SA Airlines Flights & Specials |url=https://www.sa-airlines.co.za/South-African-Airways.html |access-date=2019-10-03 |website=www.sa-airlines.co.za |archive-date=16 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116131356weblink |url-status=live }} Founded in 1934, the airline is headquartered in Airways Park at O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and operates a hub-and-spoke network, serving ten destinations in Africa. The carrier joined Star Alliance in April 2006, making it the first African carrier to sign with one of the three major airline alliances.WEB, Member Airline Details,weblink 2019-10-03, www.staralliance.com, en-GB, 3 January 2023,weblink live, The airline entered voluntary business rescue in December 2019 as a result of many years of financial losses,WEB, South African Airways is in business rescue: what comes next?,weblink The Africa Report, 9 December 2019, 30 September 2021, 30 September 2021,weblink live, and suspended all operations the following year.WEB,weblink SAA administrators suspend all operations until funding found, 29 Sep 2020, Reuters, 30 September 2021, 3 January 2023,weblink live, In June 2021, the government announced that in an attempt to revive the airline, it had entered into a partnership with the Takatso Consortium, which would hold a 51% controlling stake.WEB, Takatso Consortium to own 51% of SAA,weblink 2021-06-21, www.africaglobalfunds.com, en, 3 January 2023,weblink live, The South African Civil Aviation Authority confirmed on 4 August 2021 that SAA's air operator's certificate had been reissued with an approved fleet of eight aircraft.NEWS, South African Airways resecures its AOC ahead of restart,weblink 9 August 2021, ch-aviation, 4 August 2021, en, 3 January 2023,weblink live, The airline restarted operations on 23 September 2021,WEB,weblink South African Airways restarts service with limited route network, Routes Online, Alan Dron, 24 September 2021, 30 September 2021, 30 September 2021,weblink live, despite not having concluded the investment agreement with the proposed private partners.WEB, 21 Sep 2021, Ahead of SAA take-off, Takatso makes it clear it is not (yet) involved,weblink News24, 30 September 2021, 30 September 2021,weblink live, Nonetheless, SAA was recognised as the second best airline in Africa by Skytrax in 2021,WEB,weblink World's Top 100 Airlines 2021, Skytrax, 29 September 2021, 28 September 2021,weblink live, despite not having flown a single scheduled flight for 18 months.

History

South African Airways was founded in 1934 after the acquisition of Union Airways by the South African government. The airline was initially overseen and controlled by South African Railways and Harbours Administration. Anti-apartheid sanctions by African countries deprived the airline of stopover airports during apartheid, forcing it to bypass the continent with long-range aircraft. During this time, it was also known by its Afrikaans name, Suid-Afrikaanse Lugdiens (SAL, {{Literal translation|"South African Air Service"}}), which has since been dropped by the airline. In 1997 SAA changed its name, image and aircraft livery and introduced online ticketing services. In 2006, SAA was split from Transnet, its parent company, to operate as an independent airline. It remains one of the largest of South Africa's state-owned enterprises. SAA owned Mango, a low-cost domestic airline, and established links with Airlink and South African Express. It is a member of the Star Alliance.In 1986, the South African Airways Museum Society opened its doors to the public at Jan Smuts International Airport (which was renamed O. R. Tambo International Airport in 2006).WEB, Introduction,weblink 23 December 2010, South African Airways Museum Society, 14 June 2014,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20140614190939weblink">weblink live, The organisation was formed by South African Airways employees and outside parties with the mission of preserving South African aviation history, especially that of SAA itself. Based at Transvaal Aviation Club, Rand Airport, Germiston, it was founded after the restoration of the CASA 352L. Since then, many aircraft have joined SAA Museum Society's collection relating to South African aviation.WEB, Our Aircraft,weblink 2019-05-24, www.saamuseum.co.za, 2 February 2014,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20140202225454weblink">weblink live, {{clear}}

Formation and early years

File:Junkers-f13.jpg|thumb|SAA started operations with a number of acquired Union Airways aircraft, including the Junkers F.13Junkers F.13File:ILA 20000007.JPG|thumb|The Douglas DC-4 Skymaster was introduced in May 1946, on which SAA's first in-flight films were shown. This aircraft, registration ZS-AUB, is in Berlin (May 2000).]]File:Lockheed L-749A ZS-DBR SAA LAP 30.05.53 edited-2.jpg|thumb|right|SAA Lockheed Constellation arriving at Heathrow in 1953.]]File:Heathrow Airport in 1977.jpg|thumb|An SAA Boeing 707 sits alongside a BOAC Vickers VC10 at alt=A South African Airways Boeing 707 in former orange, blue and white livery in the background at London Heathrow Airport, parked next to a BOAC Vickers VC10.South African Airways was formed on 1 February 1934 following the acquisition of Union Airways by the South African government. Forty staff members, along with one de Havilland DH.60 Gypsy Moth, one de Havilland DH.80A Puss Moth, three Junkers F.13s and a leased Junkers F13 and Junkers A50 were among the acquired aircraft.WEB, South African Airways: A Brief History,weblink 17 December 2010, SAA Museum Society, 11 October 2022,weblink live, Upon acquisition, the government changed the airline's name to South African Airways.WEB, Brief history,weblink South African Airways, {{dead link|date=May 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} It then came under control of the South African Railways and Harbours Administration (now Transnet).MAGAZINE, May, Daryl, 28 April 1966, SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS,weblink Flight International, 22 December 2010, 3 November 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20121103102925weblink">weblink live, Charter operations started that year.WEB, History of Airlines: South African Airways,weblink 17 December 2010, www.historycentral.com, 6 March 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120306060100weblink">weblink live, On 1 February the following year, the carrier acquired Suidwes Lugdiens / South West Airways (now Air Namibia), which had since 1932 been providing a weekly air-mail service between Windhoek and Kimberley.MAGAZINE, 9 January 1936, SOUTH AFRICA GOES AHEAD,weblink Flight International, 29 December 2010, 3 November 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20121103115734weblink">weblink live, During this time, SAA ordered three Junkers Ju 52/3m aircraft, which were delivered in October 1934 and entered service 10 days later. These aircraft were configured to carry 14 passengers, along with four crew. They enabled thrice-weekly Durban–Johannesburg services, with weekly services on the Durban–East London–Port Elizabeth–George/Mossel Bay–Cape Town route. On 1 July 1935, SAA moved its operations to Rand Airport as it became increasingly obvious that Johannesburg would become the country's aviation hub, which coincided with the launching of Rand–Durban–East London–Port Elizabeth–Cape Town services. From July the following year a weekly Rand–Kimberley–Beaufort West–Cape Town service commenced; in April 1936, all Rand–Cape Town services were taken over from Imperial Airways. A fourth Ju 52/3m soon joined the fleet.Orders for a further ten Ju 52/3m aircraft, along with eighteen Junkers Ju 86s and seven Airspeed Envoys (four for the airline and three for the South African Air Force) were placed. This raised the number of Ju 52s to fourteen, although three older models were sold when deliveries of the newer Ju 52s began. The airline experienced a rapid expansion during this time, but also suffered its first accident; one of the newly delivered Ju 52s crashed after takeoff from Rand Airport in July 1937, with one reported fatality. From 1 February 1934 until the start of World War II, SAA carried 118,822 passengers, 3,278 tonnes of airmail and 248 tonnes of cargo, which were served by 418 employees. On 24 May 1940, all operations were suspended.MAGAZINE, May, Daryl, 28 April 1966, SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS,weblink Flight International, 23 December 2010, 3 November 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20121103102925weblink">weblink live, Following World War II, frequencies were increased and more routes were opened, which necessitated the conversion of three South African Air Force Envoys to passenger layout. These aircraft would prove to be unsuitable for passenger and cargo services and were returned to the SAAF after the arrival of the Junkers Ju 86s. The main aircraft of SAA in the 1930s was the Junkers Ju 52. Other types used in the 1930s included eighteen Junkers Ju 86s, which served from 1937 onwards.The slow growth continued during the 1940s, though the airline was effectively closed for the duration of World War II. In 1944, SAA began operating 28 Lockheed Lodestars to restart domestic services and by 1948 SAA operating nineteen examples. These were withdrawn in 1955.On 10 November 1945, SAA achieved a longtime company goal by operating a route to Europe when an Avro York landed in Bournemouth, England, after the long flight from Palmietfontein Airport near Johannesburg. These were replaced by the Douglas DC-4 from 1946 onwards, which in turn was replaced by the Lockheed Constellation on international routes in 1950. Also of note in the postwar era was the DC-3 Dakota, of which eight served with SAA, the last example being withdrawn as late as 1970.WEB, Douglas DC-3 Dakota,weblink 2019-05-24, www.saamuseum.co.za, 24 May 2019,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20190524021700weblink">weblink live,

Growth: 1946–1952

On 10 November 1945, the airline introduced its first intercontinental service, the 3-day Springbok Service, operated by the Avro York, which was routed Palmietfontein–Nairobi–Khartoum–Cairo–Castel Benito–Hurn Bournemouth. A weekly service was initially flown, but this later increased to 6 times weekly due to high passenger demand. The Douglas DC-4 Skymaster debuted with SAA in May 1946 between Johannesburg and Cape Town, which coincided with the introduction of the Douglas DC-3 on the Johannesburg–Durban route.From 1946, passengers and cargo carried increased, along with the size of SAA's fleet and staff. As the Skymasters arrived, out went the Avro Yorks, back to BOAC. Air hostesses were introduced in September 1946: at first on domestic routes, then on Springbok Services. The two de Havilland Doves were introduced at the end of the year; these aircraft were utilised on internal services for a short time and were sold within a few years. The 28-seat Vickers Viking served the airline briefly, before being sold to British European Airways.{{Citation needed|date=September 2017}}Palmietfontein Airport replaced Rand Airport as SAA's hub in 1948. In June 1948, SAA began to show films onboard its Skymaster aircraft. SAA received four Lockheed Constellations, its first pressurised aircraft, in August 1950. They provided scheduled service to London's Heathrow airport. Initially, the route from Johannesburg was flown via Nairobi, Khartoum and Rome. The Constellation's higher speed and longer range enabled fewer stops and greatly reduced the flying time to London.Marson, 1982, pp. 244-245

The Jet Age: 1953–1973

The jet age arrived in South Africa on 3 May 1952 when a BOAC de Havilland Comet arrived in Palmietfontein after a 24-hour journey from England with five refuelling stops en route. SAA chartered two Comets from the British airline on 4 October 1953, when Comet G-ANAV left London for Johannesburg. On the same day, Tourist Class was introduced on the 58-seat Lockheed Constellation used on the Springbok Service. The two chartered aircraft sported both BOAC and SAA titles and logos, but were operated by SAA crews.In 1956 Suid-Afrikaanse Lugdiens introduced the Douglas DC-7B, capable of long-range operations and then probably the fastest piston-engine airliner in the world. SAA exploited the aircraft's performance by introducing it between Johannesburg and London with only one fuelling stop at Khartoum. This was known as the East Coast express, taking 21 hours to complete, versus BOAC's inaugural Comet flight between the two cities of 24 hours. This later became the West Coast express when the (wikt:technical stop|technical stop) at Khartoum was transferred to Kano, Nigeria, resulting in a shortened flying of 18 hours.In January 1958 the weekly DC-7B took 20 hr 10 min Heathrow to Johannesburg including the one-hour Kano stop. The fortnightly Wallaby Route,WEB, South African Airways: Wings of the Rainbow Nation,weblink 2023-04-28, www.key.aero, 23 January 2020, en, 28 April 2023,weblink live, routed Johannesburg–Mauritius–Cocos Islands–Perth, Australia, started in November 1957.After a host of accidents involving SAA's and other airlines' Comets, the airline ordered three Boeing 707-320 Intercontinentals on 21 February 1958, with the first delivered on 1 July 1960.WEB, 707 Model Summary,weblink 10 December 2010, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, 4 September 2015,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20150904102020weblink">weblink dead, Three months after arrival, on 1 October 1960, the Boeing 707 was deployed on the airline's flagship Springbok Service, trimming the flying time to London to 13 hours. Other changes brought about by the 707 were a livery change, to an orange tail with blue and white markings, as well as improved comfort, range and speed. A 707 replaced the DC-7B on the Wallaby Route in 1967; Cocos Islands was dropped, while Sydney became the terminus. Flights to New York, via Rio de Janeiro, started on 23 February 1969 using a 707. The first 707 of SAA landed in Europe in October 1961 with a nine-hour flight to Athens.{{Citation needed|date=September 2017}}The jets arrived during a period when most African countries, except SA's neighbours, denied South African airlines the use of their airspace, necessitating long detours.JOURNAL, G. H., Pirie, Aviation, Apartheid and Sanctions: Air Transport to and from South Africa,1945—1989, GeoJournal, 22, 1990, 3, 231–40, 10.1007/BF00192821, 154691990, In 1967 the Skymasters, Constellations and DC-7Bs were being retired, replaced by the Boeing 727 trijet the following year to complement the Boeing 707. The choice of 727 was based on the geography of the destinations to which it would fly; for example Johannesburg is {{Convert|1694|m|ft}} high and hot, where the 727's wings and other technical capabilities enable it to operate out of such airports.{{Rail freight|title=Revenue Passenger-Kilometers, scheduled flights only (millions)|float=left1973314891,1442,1683,0705,9428,8438,68319,321|source=ICAO Digest of Statistics for 1950–55, IATA World Air Transport Statistics 1960–2000}}On 13 March 1968, SAA ordered five Boeing 747-200Bs.WEB, 747 Model Summary,weblink 22 December 2010, Boeing, 3 September 2015,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20150903212126weblink">weblink dead, The first, Lebombo (registered as ZS-SAN), was delivered on 22 October 1971 after a 3-stop flight from Seattle.WEB, "Lebombo" Boeing 747-244B ZS-SAN: c/n 20239,weblink 22 December 2010, South African Airways Museum – saamuseum.co.za, 22 August 2010,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20100822184437weblink">weblink live, It was placed into service in December and proved very popular. SAA eventually operated 23 brand-new "Jumbo Jets", including the −200M (first delivered in 1980), −300 (1983), −400, and the long-range Boeing 747SP, first delivered on 18–19 March 1976, with a nonstop delivery flight of ZS-SPA from Everett, Washington, USA to Cape Town. The 747SP, especially, was acquired to overcome the refusal of many countries to allow SAA to use their airspace by exploiting its long-range capabilities, as well as to serve lower-density routes which were unsuited to the 747-200.MAGAZINE, BELSON, JOHN, 21 August 1976, Boeing s Special Performer,weblink Flight International, 31 December 2010, 3 November 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20121103120852weblink">weblink live, Six were delivered starting 19 March 1976. As above, to demonstrate the 747SP's performance, the first one was delivered from Seattle to Cape Town non-stop, an airliner distance record that stood until 1989. The first 747SP arrived in South Africa on 19 March 1976. As the 747 entered service, its smaller siblings, the 707s, were converted to combi (passenger/cargo) configurations and high-density seating. All of SAA's Vickers Viscounts were sold by March 1972 after being replaced by Boeing 737s.

Expansion: 1974–1983

SAA opened a route to Asia, with Boeing 707 flights to Hong Kong via an intermediate stop at the Seychelles Islands in June 1974. In 1980, SAA began nonstop flights to Taipei using a Boeing 747SP; Mauritius had earlier replaced the Seychelles for the Hong Kong service. South Africa became one of the few countries in the world to recognize the government of the Republic of China on Taiwan.Because some African countries denied SAA the use of their airspace, SAA bypassed the 'bulge' of Africa, usually via Ilha do Sal - a detour of almost {{convert|3000|km}}.WEB, Johannesburg - Ilha do Sal - Amsterdam,weblink 2013-07-24, Great Circle Mapper, 26 August 2014,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20140826000556weblink">weblink live, Another bypass was via Tel Aviv, which doubled the distance and flying time involved.BOOK, A. J. Christopher,weblink The Atlas of Changing South Africa, Routledge Press, 2001, 978-0-415-21178-9, 174, European airlines were allowed to fly over Africa when flying to South Africa, usually via Nairobi and later nonstop.On 26 December 1980, the last South African Airways Boeing 707 service was operated between Paris and Johannesburg. Its touchdown ended the 20-year career of the 707. The quadjet was replaced by the world's first wide-body twinjet, the Airbus A300, which had entered revenue service in 1976. The 727s were eliminated by 1983, replaced by the more economical Boeing 737. When countries withdrew landing rights for SAA, the airline leased its aircraft and crews to Canada, Mauritius, Brazil, Morocco and Luxembourg.

Effect of apartheid: 1985–1990

Due to international opposition to apartheid during the 1980s, SAA's offices were attacked. In Harare, Zimbabwe, its offices were badly damaged after protesters went on a rampage.Thousands Rampage Through Harare, Upset Over Machel's Death {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219024746weblink |date=19 December 2020 }}, Associated Press, 21 October 1986The US Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986 banned all flights by South African–owned carriers, including SAA. In 1987, SAA's services to Perth and Sydney in Australia were ended, in light of the Australian Government's opposition to apartheid.Pirie, G.H. Aviation, apartheid and sanctions: air transport to and from South Africa, 1945–1989.GeoJournal, 22 (1990), 231–240. In January 1992, the journal of the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) reported that the SAA had allegedly confirmed that its passenger jets had carried cargo for Armscor, a South African arms manufacturer, in an attempt to circumvent a UN arms embargo placed on apartheid South Africa.BOOK,weblink Aerospace, January 1992, Royal Aeronautical Society, 19, 4, On 28 November 1987, South African Airways Flight 295, a Boeing 747-200 Combi en route from Taipei to Johannesburg with a stopover in Mauritrius experienced a catastrophic in-flight fire in the cargo area, broke up in mid-air, and crashed into the Indian Ocean east of Mauritius, killing all 159 people on board.BOOK, Watt, Ronnie, Helderberg Death Flight SA 295, 10 February 2009, Southern, Ignition of an ammonium perchlorate cargo, a chemical used as a missile propellant, is theorized by forensic scientists to have caused the fire.BOOK, Klatzow, David, Steeped in Blood: The Life and Times of a Forensic Scientist, Zebra Press, 2010, 978-1-86872-922-7, Cape Town, South Africa, 172,177,189, (File:SAA B747-444 ZS-SAW (6354345825).jpg|alt=A Boeing 747-400 "ZS-SAW" painted in the pre–1997 orange, blue and white livery, and featuring the Afrikaans name of the airline SAL (Suid-Afrikaanse Lugdiens).|thumb|A Boeing 747-400 "ZS-SAW" painted in the pre–1997 orange, blue and white livery, and featuring the Afrikaans name of the airline SAL (Suid-Afrikaanse Lugdiens) (1998))File:ZS-SPC Boeing 747-SP South African Airways (14912965198).jpg|thumb|A Boeing 747SP (2001) (now on display at the South African Airways Museum at alt=A Boeing 747SP, a shortened Boeing 747-100. The aircraft's engines feature prominently.With the demise of apartheid in 1990, SAA started services to former and new destinations in Africa and Asia.Pirie, G.H., Southern African air transport after apartheid. Journal of Modern African Studies, 30 (1992), 341–348.Pirie, G.H. 'Africanisation' of South Africa's international air links, 1994–2003. Journal of Transport Geography, 14 (2006), 3–14 On 1 June 1990, South African companies signed a domestic air travel deregulation act. Flights to New York City's JFK International Airport resumed in November 1991NEWS, Beveridge, Dirk, 9 November 1991, South Africa resumes flights to N.Y., The Pittsburgh Press,weblink 24 December 2010, 5 February 2021,weblink live, and SAA's planes were able to fly for the first time over Egypt and Sudan, on 8 September.{{citation |title=Article: The Springbok springs back. (South African Airways) (Company Profile) |url=|access-date=}} The airline launched flights to Milan on 1 June during the year, and services to Athens were re-introduced. Also, an interline with Aeroflot was established.The first of SAA's eight Boeing 747-400s, named Durban, arrived in South Africa on 19 January 1991. The airplane was unusual in that two different turbofan engines were operated. Six Rolls-Royce RB211-524H-powered examples were ordered; the other two, part of an unfulfilled Philippine Airlines order, had General Electric CF6-80C2B5Fs. Winglets, structural changes and fuel-efficient engines enabled these aircraft to fly non-stop from South Africa to the east coast of the United States. The arrival of Boeing's newest jumbo jet perhaps overshadowed the acquisition by SAA of the world's first commercial fly-by-wire airliner, the Airbus A320, to assist and enhance services within the country and on regional services. Boeing 767s arrived in August, 1993 and flew on African, Southern European and Middle Eastern routes. They were retired within ten years.During 1992, SAA began flights to Miami with a Cape Town to Miami International Airport nonstop Boeing 747-400 route, and re-entered Australia, flying nonstop to Perth with a same-day return "shuttle" service to Sydney. This year also saw codesharing agreements with American Airlines and Air Tanzania. There were nonstop flights to Bangkok and Singapore; the latter were discontinued by 1996. The airline Alliance, a partnership between SAA, Uganda Airlines and Air Tanzania, also began. SAA greeted its passengers in four different languages during domestic flights: English, Zulu, Afrikaans and Sotho, while passengers on international flights were also greeted in the destination's language.On 24 April 1994, South African Express (SA Express), a feeder airline service of South African, began operatingWEB, About Us,weblink dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20100819175943weblink">weblink 19 August 2010, 24 December 2010, SA Express, dmy-all, after a 3-year preparation process begun in 1991, when the regional airline was granted its operating license. SAA initially held a 20% stake in SA Express (Alliance Airline Holdings held 51%, SA Enterprises, 24.9% and Abyss Investments, 4.1%).MAGAZINE, Daly, Kieran, 1–7 June 1994, BRAVE NEW WORLD,weblink Flight International, 24 December 2010, 3 November 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20121103105801weblink">weblink live, SA Express took over some of SAA's low-density domestic routes.In 1995, Lufthansa started a codesharing agreement with SAA, and SAA commissioned Diefenbach Elkins and Herdbuoys to lead its change of image.THE MEDIA BUSINESS; Advertising {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812023247weblink |date=12 August 2017 }}, The New York Times, January 9, 1996 SAA's Voyager and American Airlines' AAdvantage frequent flier clubs joined.As of April 1996, South African employed 11,100 people, of whom 3,100 were engineers.WEB, 3–9 April 1996, World Airline Directory: South African Airways (SAA) [SA],weblink 29 December 2010, Flight International, 3 November 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20121103115846weblink">weblink live, It owned and operated 48 aircraft, and served 34 destinations from its hubs at Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg.

Rebranding: 1997–2005

File:South African Airways B747-300 (ZS-SAJ) at Perth Airport (2).jpg|thumb|Boeing 747-300 Ndizani at Perth AirportPerth AirportIn 1997, SAA replaced the Springbok emblem and the old national colours of orange, white and blue with a new livery based upon the new national flag, with a sun motif. The airline's name on its aircraft retained the Afrikaans name Suid-Afrikaanse Lugdiens. As a symbol of the new rainbow nation following the release of Nelson Mandela, one of SAA's 747-300s, named Ndizani (registration ZS-SAJ), was painted in bright colours.WEB, Photo Search Results,weblink 24 April 2015, 4 September 2015,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20150904102020weblink">weblink live, This special-liveried 747-300 transported South African athletes to the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.WEB, David Parker Brown, 10 June 2010, Guest Blog: First-hand perspective on airlines in South Africa,weblink 24 December 2010, Airlinereporter.com, 13 June 2010,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20100613155521weblink">weblink live, The airline started online ticket sales and formed an alliance with SA Airlink and SA Express.In 1998, services to Copenhagen Airport were stopped. A new airline president and CEO, Coleman Andrews, was appointed. The arrival of the American saw a comprehensive and controversial overhaul of the airline, changing the management of SAA. Mr Andrews was hired by Transnet, the state-owned parent company, to remedy the problem of dwindling passengers, which Transnet's market research had revealed was caused by "failure to fly on time, unfriendly and minimally-trained staff, poor food and SAA fares being 12–25% above its competitors".WEB, Chalmers, Robyn, 31 May 2001, South Africa: The Amazing Coleman Andrews Story,weblink 24 December 2010, AllAfrica.com, 18 October 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20121018070349weblink">weblink live, He was credited with rescuing World Airways from the brink of bankruptcy earlier in the decade.WEB, SAA (Pty) Ltd.,weblink 7 January 2011, FundingUniverse.com, 15 February 2011,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110215045325weblink">weblink live, During his first 18 months as CEO, South African Airways' market value increased fivefold.WEB, Coleman Andrews,weblink 1 January 2011, Bloomberg, {{dead link|date=April 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}In June 1999, Transnet entered into a sale agreement with Swissair in which Transnet sold 20% of its shareholding in SAA to Swissair for R1.4 billion and also included an option to sell and transfer a further 10% to Swissair, thereby increasing its stake to 30%.SAA Reacquisition of 20% Shares Held by Swissair {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201032202weblink |date=1 December 2017 }}, Department of Public Enterprises, Government of South Africa, 21 November 2001 In 2002, the South African government repurchased the shares.Swissair sells back South African stake {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015135125weblink |date=15 October 2013 }}, BBC News, 14 February 2002Swissair's costly purchases of SAA's and many other large international airlines' shares led directly to its own shocking bankruptcy filing, on 1 April 2002.In 2000, SAA ordered 21 Boeing 737-800s, reportedly worth US$680 million. Five CFM 56-7B27-powered examples were requested outright from Boeing, the rest from other parties.WEB, 737 Model Summary,weblink 27 December 2010, Boeing, 21 November 2018,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20181121013435weblink">weblink dead, The 737s were to be deployed on short-haul routes, replacing Airbus A300s and A320s.PRESS RELEASE, South African Airways Chooses Boeing 737s For Fleet Renewal, 1 March 2000, Boeing, Seattle,weblink 27 December 2010,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110114113413weblink">weblink 14 January 2011, dead, dmy-all, The 737 order was followed by an Airbus order in 2002. Under CEO Andre Viljoen, South African Airways requested Airbus to overhaul its fleet at a cost of US$3.5 billion in March 2002, taking advantage of a slump in the order books of both Boeing and Airbus.NEWS, 7 March 2002, South Africa to buy Airbuses, CNN,weblink 24 December 2010, 13 January 2011,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110113191627weblink">weblink live, The airline industry was still staggering after the September 11 attacks in the US, which led to new aircraft orders either being deferred, or cancelled altogether. SAA was in a buyers' market and the demise of Swissair, which had A340-600s about to be delivered, effected Airbus clinching the SAA deal. This was part of a bigger order that covered 11 A319s, 15 A320s, nine A340-600s and six A340-300s. Three of the A340-600 aircraft came from International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC). The new Airbus A319s replaced the aging Boeing 737-200 fleet, but the Boeing 737-800s continued in service because SAA cancelled its A320 order before any aircraft were delivered.Later that year, South African Airways made a successful bid for a 49% stake in Air Tanzania. The move highlighted SAA's wish to gain a foothold in eastern Africa. The bid was worth $20 million, and was SAA's first acquisition of a foreign airline.NEWS, 7 October 2002, Air Tanzania attracts $20m bid, BBC,weblink 27 December 2010, 17 September 2009,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20090917102854weblink">weblink live, NEWS, Mande, Mike, 9 December 2002, Tanzania: Air Tanzania Finally Sold to SAA for $20m, AllAfrica.com,weblink 27 December 2010, 18 October 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20121018070358weblink">weblink live, The merger failed in 2006, when new SAA management felt that the arrangement was fruitless.NEWS, 17 February 2006, SAA to get out of Air Tanzania 'blunder', Business Report,weblink 14 March 2007, 1 October 2008,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20081001220823weblink">weblink dead, (File:SAA BusinessClass.jpg|thumb|"New" Business Class seat on display in 2006)On 1 February 2000, South African Airways and Delta Air Lines started to codeshare on SAA-operated nonstop Boeing 747-400 flights from Atlanta to Johannesburg,WEB, 1999-11-28, Yahoo - Delta Air Lines, South African Airways to Codeshare On Flights from Atlanta, New York to Johannesburg,weblink 2021-08-03,weblink 28 November 1999, NEWS, January 10, 2000, Deal with Delta Air Lines Gets the Go-Ahead, Business Day,weblink August 3, 2021, with return flights operated via Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Florida due to range limitations caused by the 5,557-foot altitude at Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport.In 2001, South African Airways won the Best Cargo Airline to Africa award from Air Cargo News – (even though South African is mainly a passenger airline) – and South African Airways signed a codesharing agreement with Nigeria Airways to provide service from the United States to Lagos using South African Airways 747s (this codeshare agreement is no longer in effect, and SAA's flights to/from the United States no longer stop in Nigeria). The airline earned a spot on the Zagat Survey's top-ten international airlines list, opened a new website and named Andre Viljoen as chief executive officer (CEO).In March 2004, South African Airways announced its application to join Star Alliance. The airline alliance accepted its application in June, with SAA joining as a full member in April 2006.In July 2004, Andre Viljoen resigned as CEO of SAA. In August 2004, Khaya Ngqula was appointed as CEO of SAA. A new chairman, Professor Jakes Gerwel, was appointed in the same month.In 2005, SAA became the first non-Saudi airline to fly a direct Hadj service to Medina in Saudi Arabia.In July 2005, SAA started a four times weekly Johannesburg-Accra-Washington, D.C. service with a Boeing 747-400. Service was increased to daily flights in July 2006, and the 747-400 was replaced by an Airbus A340-600. Because SAA could not obtain rights to fly passengers between Ghana and the US, Dakar replaced Accra as the intermediate stop. In 2010, SAA retired the last of its 747-400 fleet.On 6 June 2006, the codeshare agreement between South African Airways and Delta Air Lines was terminated because of the airlines' memberships in rival alliances (Star Alliance and SkyTeam respectively).

Restructuring and Star Alliance: 2006–2011

(File:South African Logo.svg|thumb|right|South African Airways logo used until 2019.)The South African government's plans called for the separation of South African Airways and its parent company Transnet. The deadline was moved from 2005 to 31 March 2006.WEB, 20 October 2005, SAA-Transnet split awaits new laws,weblink 29 December 2010, PPrune.org, 18 September 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120918202711weblink">weblink live, File:south.african.b747-400.zs-sax.arp.jpg|thumb|A Boeing 747-400 (ZS-SAX) at London Heathrow AirportLondon Heathrow AirportSAA joined Star Alliance on 10 April 2006,PRESS RELEASE, First African airline to join an alliance, 10 June 2006, Star Alliance,weblink 29 December 2010, 25 July 2011,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110725124412weblink">weblink live, NEWS, 11 April 2006, South African Airways joins Star Alliance, AsiaTravelTips.com,weblink 29 December 2010, 5 March 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120305042417weblink">weblink live, becoming the first African airline to join Star Alliance.NEWS, SAA joins Star Alliance network, 21 April 2006,weblink 29 December 2010, 16 July 2011,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110716152016weblink">weblink live, To celebrate the occasion, and as a condition of entry, one Airbus A340-600 (registration ZS-SNC) and one Boeing 737-800 (registration ZS-SJV) were repainted in Star Alliance livery.NEWS, 17 March 2006, SAA changes livery for Star Alliance, IAfrica.com,weblink dead, 29 December 2010,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110712235851weblink">weblink 12 July 2011, dmy-all, South African Airways fulfilled 53 requirements during the accession process.WEB, Gearing for growth – Annual Report 2006,weblink dead,weblink 31 December 2010, 1 January 2011, South African Airways, dmy-all, In May 2007, SAA launched an 18-month comprehensive restructuring programmeNEWS, 4 June 2007, SAA to Embark on Airline Restructuring Plan, Reuters, Johannesburg,weblink 1 December 2010, which aimed to make the airline profitable. According to then-CEO Khaya Ngqula, this came largely after "uncompetitive ownership and aircraft lease costs, excessive head count and fuel price volatility". The programme involved: the spin-off of businesses into seven subsidiaries, thereby allowing SAA to concentrate on its core business of passenger and cargo transport; grounding SAA's Boeing 747-400 fleet; rationalising international routes (Paris was dropped altogether); the axing of 30% of the airline's managers;NEWS, SAA to overhaul business model, Mmegi.bw,weblink 1 January 2011, 29 August 2011,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110829015230weblink">weblink live, among other reductions. This was expected to save the airline R2.7 billion (US$378.2 million). By June 2009, R2.5 billion had been saved.NEWS, 2 June 2009, Restructuring saves SAA R2,5-billion, Mail&Guardian Online,weblink 1 January 2011, 16 June 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120616080843weblink">weblink live, Two retired 747-400s were reactivated in 2008 for flights to Lagos, and by 2010 Luanda as well.MAGAZINE, Sobie, Brendan, 30 October 2008, SAA reintroduces 747-400s,weblink Flight International, 30 December 2010, 19 September 2010,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20100919151913weblink">weblink live, On 20 June 2008, the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) agreed to extend South African Airways' sponsorship of the organisation another 3 and a half years. This extension succeeded two years of co-operation that "have seen a successful partnership blossom between SAA and the ATP".NEWS, 20 June 2008, South African Airways Extends $20m ATP Sponsorship, Sportbusiness.com,weblink dead, 30 December 2010,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120310054631weblink">weblink 10 March 2012, dmy-all, The deal was worth $20 million, and ran until the end of 2012. On the same day it was announced that a new ATP World Tour tournament would be held in South Africa in 2009. In 2010, the company sought to recover $4 million from then-CEO Khaya Ngqula, for allegedly spending the money on his friends and awarding business deals with organisations and individuals in which he had an interest. Among them are ATP and professional golfer Ángel Cabrera.NEWS, Wild, Franz, 21 July 2010, South African Airways Seeks to Recover $4 Million From Former CEO Ngqula, Bloomberg,weblink 30 December 2010, 22 July 2010,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20100722041010weblink">weblink live, In February 2010, the airline appointed Siza Mzimela as its first female CEO. She replaced Khaya Ngqula,NEWS, 24 February 2010, South African Airways appoints new CEO, Mail&Guardian Online,weblink 30 December 2010, 27 February 2010,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20100227093315weblink">weblink live, who was accused of mismanagement and therefore quit. Mzimela was previously CEO of SAA's domestic partner airline, South African Express (SA Express). On 1 April 2010 she took over the position from Chris Smyth,NEWS, 26 February 2010, South African Airways welcomes new CEO, eTravelBlackborad.com,weblink 30 December 2010, 8 March 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120308025726weblink">weblink live, the acting CEO since Khaya Ngqula left in March 2009.NEWS, Baumann, Julius, 11 March 2009, A Chief Khaya Ngqula Quits Amid Probe, AllAfrica.com,weblink 30 December 2010, 13 March 2009,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20090313074725weblink">weblink live, NEWS, 24 February 2010, SAfrica main airline appoints new chief executive, Reuters,weblink 30 December 2010, At the end of 2010, SAA permanently retired the two Boeing 747-400s which were temporarily re-introduced in late 2008.MAGAZINE, Sobie, Brendan, 20 May 2010, SAA plans to finally phase out 747-400s at year-end,weblink Flight International, 30 December 2010, 21 December 2019,weblink live, WEB, 2010, SAA plans to finally phase out 747-400s at year-end,weblink 20 May 2010, Flight International, 21 December 2019,weblink live, This was expected to save it $60 million during the fiscal year ending March 2009. SAA leased two second hand Airbus A340-300s from Airbus Financial Services (AFS) to replace the 747's.WEB, ZS-SXG South African Airways Airbus A340-300,weblink 2021-02-18, www.planespotters.net, en, 3 March 2022,weblink live, WEB, ZS-SXH South African Airways Airbus A340-300,weblink 2021-02-18, www.planespotters.net, 18 August 2020, en, 3 March 2022,weblink live,

Financial difficulties and bankruptcy: 2012–2020

File:South African Airways Airbus A340 ZS-SXA Perth 2019 (01).jpg|thumb|An Airbus A340-300 approaching Perth AirportPerth AirportFile:South_African_Airways_Airbus_A350-941_ZS-SDF_arriving_at_JFK_Airport.jpg|thumb|A since phased-out Airbus A350-900 in the current colour scheme arriving in New York (2020)]]On 24 February 2012 SAA's new Airbus A320-200, registration ZS-SZZ, made its first revenue flight between Johannesburg and Durban. There were twelve A320s in the fleet as of December 2016. On 16 August 2012, SAA ended its Cape Town-London route after 20 years, due to declining passenger numbers and increasing airport taxes.SAA began flights to Beijing, China on 31 January 2012.WEB, Introducing Direct Services to Beijing, China - South African Airways,weblink 24 April 2015, 2 April 2015,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20150402112345weblink">weblink live, Buenos Aires flights ended in 2013 and, in January 2015, SAA announced plans to end its non-stop services to Beijing and Mumbai. Services to China were replaced by Star Alliance partner Air China with a flight to Beijing.NEWS, 6 February 2015, South African Airways outlook brightens as recovery plan and partnership strategy roll out, centreforaviation.com,weblink 7 February 2015, 7 February 2015,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20150207162907weblink">weblink live, In June 2015, the acting CEO stated that London, New York City, Hong Kong, Munich, Frankfurt and Perth were the only profitable long-haul routes; all others were loss-making.WEB, South African Airways Upbeat On Turnaround,weblink aviationweek.com, 10 June 2015, 10 June 2015,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20150610110235weblink">weblink live, In September 2017, SAA began reducing its fleet and expected to cut 23% of its flights.NEWS, Reuters, SAA to shrink services as part of revamp, en,weblink 2017-09-22, 23 September 2017,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20170923050614weblink">weblink live, Standard Chartered Bank was the first bank in June 2017 to call in its SAA loan. The South African government provided R2.2 billion to settle the debt.NEWS, Why Citibank pulled the plug on bankrupt SAA, en-US,weblink 2017-09-22, 23 September 2017,weblink live, Citibank was the second bank to refuse extending the loan facility. Together with some others, another R7.7 billion became payable at the end of September 2017. The South African treasury asked the Public Investment Corporation, which controls government pension funds, for R100 billion to help bail out state-owned enterprises, including SAA.NEWS, Treasury said to ask PIC for R100bn for state-owned enterprises, Fin24,weblink 2017-09-22, 22 September 2017,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20170922212832weblink">weblink live, On 5 December 2019, the government of South Africa announced that SAA would enter into bankruptcy protection, as the airline had not turned a profit since 2011 and had run out of money.WEB, 2019-12-04, South African Airways to Enter Into Bankruptcy Protection,weblink 2019-12-05, Bloomberg.com, 25 April 2020,weblink live, In January 2020, South African Airways announced that it would suspend several routes, e.g. to Munich in order to reduce its financial struggle.NEWS, South African Airways cancels some flights to Munich to save cash, Reuters, 21 January 2020,weblink 21 January 2020, 21 January 2020,weblink live, In February 2020, the airline introduced its first of four newly leased Airbus A350-900s in an attempt to modernize its loss-making long-haul fleet.businessinsider.de 9 February 2020On 5 December 2019, SAA was placed under business rescue. Les Matuson and Siviwe Dongwana were appointed as the Business Rescue Practitioners of SAA in December 2019.WEB, Business Rescue of South African Airways (SOC) Limited,weblink 2020-05-21, matusonassociates.co.za, en-ZA, 1 June 2020,weblink live, A Business Recovery Plan was expected by the end of February 2020, extended, then postponed. A final plan is yet to be presented.NEWS, Gordhan Stakes His Reputation and South Africa's on Airline,weblink 2020-05-21, bloomberg.com, 17 May 2020, en-ZA, 19 May 2020,weblink live, WEB, How was R5.5bn spent by SAA BRPs? Gordhan wants answers,weblink 2020-05-21, moneyweb.co.za, 7 May 2020, en-ZA, 20 May 2020,weblink live, In February 2020, ex-Secretary General of the ANC, Ace Magashule, stated that should the Business Rescue Practitioners take decisions not to the ANC's liking, it would intervene. Economist Jacques Jonker, then at the Free Market Foundation, criticised Magashule, pointing out that the Business Rescue Practitioners are officers of the court in terms of the Companies Act of 2008, and that it would be illegal for the ANC to intervene in the business rescue process.WEB, Cele, Juniour Khumalo and S’thembile, ANC allies put their foot down: 'Business rescue practitioners do not own SAA; we do',weblink 2021-06-25, Citypress, en-US, 25 June 2021,weblink live, WEB, 2020-02-20, Government can't interfere in SAA business rescue process, unless... – Jacques Jonker,weblink 2021-06-25, BizNews.com, en-GB, 25 June 2021,weblink live, When Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan later tried to justify the notion that the business rescue practitioners are accountable to him and not to the courts, Jonker pointed out that such a state of affairs would be unconstitutional.WEB, Jonker, Jacques, Accountability is more important than government's desire for control,weblink 2021-06-25, Citypress, en-US, 25 June 2021,weblink live, In April 2020, following a request for further emergency financing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the South African government announced that it would stop funding the airline with immediate effect.WEB, 2020-04-14, Is this the end of SAA? Government shoots down funding request,weblink 2020-04-19, Fin24, 20 April 2020,weblink live, The airline then announced plans to lay off all remaining staff by the end of the month, sparking fears that SAA was on the brink of liquidation.As of 1 May 2020, all SAA staff members were on unpaid leave of absence, including those who are reporting for duty, with no pay for the 4,708 remaining workforce.WEB, Shape up or ship out, parliament tells SAA's business rescuers,weblink 2020-05-21, iol.co.za, en-ZA, 19 May 2020,weblink live, WEB, SAA's business rescue practitioners 'raked in over R30m without producing a plan',weblink 2020-05-21, iol.co.za, en-ZA, 23 May 2020,weblink live, Unaudited financial statements presented in a draft report show SAA made losses of almost R16 billion in the previous 3 years. SAA received R50 billion of government assistance between 2004 and 2020.WEB, Full extent of SAA burden on taxpayers revealed - at last,weblink 2020-05-21, tourismupdate.co.za, en-ZA, 21 May 2020,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20200521101327weblink">weblink live, On 2 May 2020, the government of South Africa announced that South African Airways would be ceasing operations after 86 years of service, and that a new flagship carrier would be created for South Africa out of the ashes of the former airline.WEB, South African Airways nears collapse, plans to fire all staff,weblink 2020-04-19, Executive Traveller, en, 20 April 2020,weblink live, The liquidation process was set to begin on 8 May; however, a legal battle between the liquidators and the workforce delayed the proceedings indefinitely.WEB, Kaminski-Morrow2020-05-07T14:38:00+01:00, David, SAA on brink as government scrambles to defer 'drop dead' date,weblink 2020-05-07, Flight Global, en, 11 May 2020,weblink live, WEB, Kaminski-Morrow2020-05-08T17:57:00+01:00, David, SAA defies shutdown as unions claim labour court victory,weblink 2020-05-09, Flight Global, en, 9 May 2020,weblink live, In July, the creditors voted to accept the restructuring plan, allowing the airline to avoid liquidation. A full domestic network was to be reinstated by December 2020.WEB, SAA creditors approve turnaround plan,weblink 2020-07-22, CH Aviation, en, 22 July 2020,weblink live, On 21 August 2020, The Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) appointed Rand Merchant Bank to help with negotiations with private entities interested in buying into the country's insolvent national carrier, which needed at least R10 billion to resume operations.WEB, Bloomberg, SAA in talks with potential buyers,weblink 2020-08-21, en-US, 21 August 2020,weblink live, On 30 September the airline announced that it was suspending all operations until critical funding could be agreed.WEB, Kaminski-Morrow, David, 30 September 2020, SAA suspends operations as rescuers seek to preserve finances,weblink registration, 30 September 2020, FlightGlobal, 2 October 2020,weblink live, In September 2020, SAA suspended all flight operations as the Business Rescue Practitioners placed the airline under "care and maintenance" until further funding could be sourced.WEB, Reuters, SAA to go under care and maintenance until funding found,weblink 2021-02-12, www.engineeringnews.co.za, en, 29 October 2020,weblink live, In October 2020, the South African government said it was looking for partners in its efforts to bail out the airline. On 28 October 2020, the South African government bailed SAA out with R10.5 billion in order to implement the turnaround strategy.NEWS, 2020-10-28, South Africa Defends State Airline Bailout As It Seeks Partners, en, Bloomberg.com,weblink 2020-10-28, 31 October 2020,weblink live, During 2020, the airline returned 4 Airbus A319s, all of its 10 A320s, all of its 6 A330-200s, 4 A330-300s, 3 A340-300s, 3 A340-600s, and all 4 new A350-900s to their respective lessors.WEB, South African Airways Fleet Details and History,weblink 2020-08-21, www.planespotters.net, 25 February 2021,weblink live, Both Boeing 737 Freighters also left the fleet in early 2020, ending a long history of dedicated freighter operations at the airline.As of February 2021, the South African government was in talks with three potential investors to revive the airline and resume operations, with a massively-reduced workforce.businesstech.co.za - ‘New SAA’ to get partner as it prepares to exit business rescue {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216062039weblink |date=16 February 2021 }} 15 February 2021 The South African treasury reported that the airline had incurred a total loss of R32 billion (US$2.1 billion) between 2008 and 2020.WEB, 2021-05-06, No more bailouts for SAA,weblink 2022-02-26, The Mail & Guardian, en-ZA, 26 February 2022,weblink live, The Mail and Guardian estimated that the airline had received a total of R60 billion (US$4 billion) in government guarantees.

Relaunch: 2021–present

In June 2021, the South African government relinquished its controlling stake in the airline. After extensive talks with potential investors, they selected the Takatso Consortium. The consortium will own 51% of the airline, while the government maintains a 49% stake.WEB, 2021-06-21, South Africa: SAA's new deal gives it wings, but no flying the skies just yet,weblink 2021-06-21, The Africa Report.com, en-US, 21 June 2021,weblink live, The consortium involves Harith General Partners and Global Airways. Harith General Partners is chaired by South Africa's former deputy finance minister, Jabulani Moleketi. In the address in which he announced the takeover, Pravin Gordhan, the Minister of Public Enterprises, revealed that SAA would receive a R3 billion boost in investment from the new partners.WEB, Ndenze, Babalo, Who's who in the new Takatso Consortium,weblink 2021-06-21, ewn.co.za, en, 24 June 2021,weblink live, In an interview on 26 November 2021, Gordhan reiterated that the South African government still expects to complete the transaction with the Takatso Consortium in early 2022, despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.WEB, Lacqua, Francine, Burkhardt, Paul, Pravin Gordhan expects sale of SAA to be done by early 2022,weblink 29 November 2021, 29 November 2021, BusinessLive, 29 November 2021,weblink live, In October 2022, SAA expanded its fleet with the addition of 2 Airbus A320-200 and added new routes from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Windhoek, Namibia.On 31 October 2023, SAA resumed services to São Paulo in Brazil,WEB, After almost four years, South African Airways resumes flights to Sao Paulo,weblink Aviacionline, 31 October 2023, the first inter-continental route to be flown by the airline since the start of the pandemic. SAA will also resume flights to Perth in April 2024.WEB, South African Airways to returns to Perth on April 28,weblink ExecutiveTraveller, 9 January 2024,

Corporate affairs

Head office

(File:SAA-Airways Park-002.jpg|thumb|Airways Park, the head office of South African Airways)South African Airways is headquartered in Airways Park on the grounds of O. R. Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng."POLICIES & DISCLAIMER." South African Airways. Retrieved 23 June 2010. "Physical address for receipt of legal service: Airways Park, 1 Jones Road, OR Tambo International Airport, Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa." Archived copy at the Icelandic Web Archive (17 November 2009)."[https:web.archive.org/web/20220624214126weblink Background]." Ekurhuleni. 3 (3/8). Retrieved 30 September 2009. {{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The building was developed by Stauch Vorster Architects.BOOK, Beaver, Robyn,weblink 1000 Architects, Images Publishing, 2004, 9781876907914, 1, 504, 23 June 2010, Google Books, {{ISBN|1-876907-91-6}}, {{ISBN|978-1-876907-91-4}} Completed in March 1997 for R70 million, the {{convert|27000|sqm|sqft|adj=on}} current head-office building links to three older buildings."weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20040612231814weblink">Printable version of the site." Stauch Vorster Architects. 10/18. Retrieved 23 June 2010.South African Airways moved its head office from Durban to Rand Airport in Germiston on 1 July 1935.WEB, South African Airways – A Brief History,weblink 12 June 2012, saamuseum.co.za, 11 October 2022,weblink live, Before the head office moved to its current location, the airline's head office was in the Airways Towers in Johannesburg."World Airline Directory." Flight International. 3–9 April 1996. 81 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710042534weblink |date=10 July 2017 }}.

Business trends

The business trends shown below are for the South African Airways group (including SAA, Mango, SAA Technical and Air Chefs), based mainly on the published annual reports; there are gaps and some inconsistencies, largely because the reports vary year by year in the information given and because figures are frequently restated in subsequent years. No figures appear to have been made public since SAA went into bankruptcy protection in December 2019.The available trends are (for years ending 31 March):{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto;" style="text-align:center;"!! 2006! 2007! 2008! 2009! 2010! 2011! 2012! 2013! 2014! 2015! 2016! 2017 Turnover (R billion) 19.4 20.6 22.2 26.3 22.2 22.6 23.9 27.1 30.3 30.1 30.4! align=center| 30.7 Operating profit (R million) 414 {{color−610}} {{color−973}} 334 487 807 {{color−1,300}} {{color−991}} {{color−2,307}} {{color−5,163}} {{color−538}}! align=center| {{color|red|−2,760}} Retained earnings (R million) 301 779 681 {{color−935}} {{color−1,204}} {{color−2,590}} {{color−5,619}} {{color−1,492}}! align=center| {{color|red|−5,431}} Number of employees 11,524 10,048 8,227 7,989 8,034 10,057 11,044 11,462 11,491 11,476 10,706! align=center| 10,071 Revenue passenger mile (R million) 24,488 25,920 26,131 23,328 22,413 22,661 23,217 24,880 25,606 24,523 24,234! align=center| 23,740 - SAA 24,488 25,381 24,619 21,935 21,081 21,181 21,509 22,901 23,124 21,814 21,079! align=center| 20,678 - Mango - 539 1,512 1,393 1,332 1,480 1,708 1,979 2,482 2,709 3,155! align=center| 3,062 Number of passengers (million) 7.2 8.3 8.9 8.2 8.0 8.0 8.1 8.8 9.3 9.2 9.9! align=center| 9.7 - SAA 7.2 7.7 7.4 6.9 6.7 6.6 6.5 7.0 7.1 6.7 6.9! align=center| 6.8 - Mango - 1.5 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.8 2.2 2.5 3.0! align=center| 2.9 Passenger load factor (%) 70 75 76 74 71 70 72 74 75 73 75! align=center| 75 Cargo carried (000s tonnes) 185 202 186 138 119 129 142 133 132 131 114! align=center| 111 Number of aircraft 75 66 61 59 55 45 55 53! align=center| 64 Notes and sources2006 >TITLE=GEARING FOR GROWTH: ANNUAL REPORT 2006 ACCESS-DATE=12 JANUARY 2011 date=May 2018 fix-attempted=yes }}ANNUAL REPORT 2007 >URL=HTTPS://WWW.FLYSAA.COM/PV_OBJ_CACHE/PV_OBJ_ID_16EA76016AFD303C706F52C46446CDEC91A10200/FILENAME/SAA_ANNUALREPORT2007_PART2.PDF PUBLISHER=SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS, {{dead linkbot=InternetArchiveBot ACCESS-DATE=29 SEPTEMBER 2013 ARCHIVE-DATE=2 OCTOBER 2013 URL-STATUS=LIVE, 08 ANNUAL REPORT – RESTRUCTURING TOWARDS PROFITABILITY >URL=HTTPS://WWW.FLYSAA.COM/PV_OBJ_CACHE/PV_OBJ_ID_B215E05380672AB80F69709E0E3158E9F53B0900/FILENAME/FINANCIAL_REPORT2008_RESTRUCTURING_TOWARDS_PROFITABILITY.PDF PUBLISHER=SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS, {{dead linkbot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}09 ANNUAL REPORT – RESTRUCTURING TOWARDS PROFITABILITY >URL=HTTP://WWW.FLYSAA.COM/PV_OBJ_CACHE/PV_OBJ_ID_7787CA7799AA5B6A3698DA42FD9546CFD8BF2700/FILENAME/SAA_2009_ANNUAL_REPORT.PDF PUBLISHER=SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS, {{dead linkbot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}ANNUAL REPORT 2010 >URL=HTTP://WWW.FLYSAA.COM/ES/EN/DOCUMENTS/FINANCIALS/SAAANNUALREPORT2010.PDF PUBLISHER=SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20130927112450/HTTP://WWW.FLYSAA.COM/ES/EN/DOCUMENTS/FINANCIALS/SAAANNUALREPORT2010.PDF, live, ANNUAL REPORT 2011 >URL=HTTP://WWW.FLYSAA.COM/ES/EN/DOCUMENTS/FINANCIALS/SAA_ANNUAL_REPORT_2011.PDF PUBLISHER=SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20130927112417/HTTP://WWW.FLYSAA.COM/ES/EN/DOCUMENTS/FINANCIALS/SAA_ANNUAL_REPORT_2011.PDF, live, ANNUAL REPORT 2012 >URL=HTTP://WWW.FLYSAA.COM/EHTTP://WWW.FLICKR.COM/S/EN/DOCUMENTS/FINANCIALS/SAA_AR_2012_WEB.PDF PUBLISHER=SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS, {{Dead linkbot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}2013 >TITLE=SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS GROUP INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2013 ACCESS-DATE=12 SEPTEMBER 2017 ARCHIVE-DATE=12 SEPTEMBER 2017 URL-STATUS=LIVE, 2014 >TITLE=SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS GROUP INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2014 ACCESS-DATE=12 SEPTEMBER 2017 ARCHIVE-DATE=12 SEPTEMBER 2017 URL-STATUS=LIVE, 2015 >TITLE=SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS GROUP INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2015 ACCESS-DATE=12 SEPTEMBER 2017 ARCHIVE-DATE=12 SEPTEMBER 2017 URL-STATUS=LIVE, 2016 >TITLE=SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS GROUP INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2016 ACCESS-DATE=12 SEPTEMBER 2017 ARCHIVE-DATE=12 SEPTEMBER 2017 URL-STATUS=LIVE, 31 MARCH 2017 >TITLE=SAA INTEGRATED REPORT 2017 ACCESS-DATE=3 APRIL 2018 ARCHIVE-DATE=4 APRIL 2018 URL-STATUS=LIVE,

Emblems

South African Airways' "Flying Springbok" logo was the symbol of the carrier from its formation in 1934 to 1997. The logo was discontinued in 1997 in favour of a new aircraft livery, but the word "Springbok" remains the airline's radio callsign.File:SAA's Flying Springbok Emblem 1934.jpg|1934-1948File:SAA's Flying Springbok Emblem 1948.jpg|1948-1971File:SAA's Flying Springbok Emblem 1971.jpg|1971-1997

Anti-competitive practices

On 5 June 2007, it was announced that SAA paid R55 million to the Competition Commission of South Africa because of anti-competitive behaviour such as price fixing.NEWS, 25 May 2006, Another mega fine for SAA, Moneyweb.co.za,weblink 29 December 2010, NEWS, 6 June 2007, SAA pays competition penalty, Southafrica.info,weblink dead, 29 December 2010,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110919191411weblink">weblink 19 September 2011, dmy-all, This fine was in addition to a R45 million fine paid by SAA on 31 May 2006 as a penalty for SAA's attempts to prevent travel agents from dealing with rival air carriers.WEB, 5 June 2007, SAA pays competition fine,weblink iol.co.za, {{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}"Kulula has once again called on government to call it a day and keep its promise...that South African taxpayers will stop filling the begging bowl for ailing state-owned businesses". Many other companies like Flitestar, SunAir and Nationwide had failed because they could not compete with state-funded SAA. "State re-nationalisation of the industry will continue to be destructive to free and fair competition". The company said it was "bizarre" that the proceeds of its income tax, fuel taxes, VAT, import duties and other government levies then were paid over to a state-owned competitor.NEWS, 17 July 2008, Kulula bemoans SAA government bailouts, IOL News,weblink 22 December 2010, 23 October 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20121023002309weblink">weblink live,

Racism controversy

SAA has been accused of racism for rejecting white cadet pilots on the grounds of race, who met the educational and physical criteria. By filling out several dummy applications, journalists from the newspaper Beeld established that the online form had been programmed to reject any white applicants.WEB, No more white cadet pilots for SAA,weblink 2012-08-20, Fin24, 18 August 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120818230431weblink">weblink live, WEB, SAA training policy evokes anger,weblink 2012-08-20, Fin24, 18 August 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120818230436weblink">weblink live, The South African trade union Solidarity instituted legal action against SAA, resulting in the policy being revoked.WEB, SAA backtracks on white cadet ban - Solidarity - PARTY,weblink 2012-08-20, Politicsweb, 27 September 2013,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20130927074418weblink">weblink live, WEB, 2012-08-19, SAA lifts ban on white cadets,weblink 2013-06-10, Fin24, 21 August 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120821012233weblink">weblink live, "SAA's normal recruitment process allows for the employment of white male pilots as and when vacancies exist; particularly when no candidate is available from a previously-disadvantaged background. Like all other South African companies, the airline is also required to meet statutory transformation targets. This means that, in recruiting, the airline has to ensure that the demographics of its employees match closely those of the country as a whole. This is in line with the employment equity definition which includes white females."WEB, News articles,weblink 2015-08-25, www.flysaa.com, 4 September 2015,weblink live,

Corruption controversy

During the administration of Jacob Zuma the SAA board was implicated in a number of corruption-related controversies.WEB, 2019-10-21, If Myeni was delinquent, so is the entire SAA board - lawyer,weblink 2019-11-22, Fin24, 3 January 2023,weblink live, Most notable were allegations of corrupt or irregular activities by then SAA Non-Executive Director and Zuma appointee Dudu Myeni, which were widely blamed for placing SAA in serious financial difficulty.WEB, Cotterill, Joseph, 15 November 2019, President in showdown with unions over South African Airways,weblinkweblink 10 December 2022, subscription, live, 2019-11-22, Financial Times, en-GB, WEB, Cronje, Jan, 2019-06-19, Former SAA exec says Dudu Myeni asked staff to 'do illegal things',weblink 2019-11-22, Fin24, 3 January 2023,weblink live, WEB, 'Lock her up' - Mzansi's verdict after Dudu Myeni state capture revelations,weblink 2019-11-22, TimesLIVE, en-ZA, 3 January 2023,weblink live, WEB, Skiti, Sabelo, Capture leaves SA's talent in tatters,weblink 2019-11-22, The M&G Online, 21 June 2019, en, 3 January 2023,weblink live, WEB, 2019-11-14, Ferial Haffajee: Why should SAA employees pay for the sins of Dudu Myeni and Jacob Zuma?,weblink 2019-11-22, Fin24, 6 January 2023,weblink live, WEB, SAA Pilots' Association stands with Numsa, Sacca and calls for leadership overhaul {{!, IOL Business Report |url=https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/economy/saa-pilots-association-stands-with-numsa-sacca-and-calls-for-leadership-overhaul-37183946 |access-date=2019-11-22 |website=www.iol.co.za |language=en |archive-date=3 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103150526weblink |url-status=live }}

2019 Industrial strike action

South African Airways was hit by strike action by unions starting 15 November 2019 with an agreement in principle being reached on 22 November 2019. The strike action reportedly cost the airline R50 million per day.WEB, 2019-11-22, SAA, unions reach wage deal - if funds are available,weblink 2019-11-22, Fin24, 23 November 2019,weblink live, ">

Chief Executive Officers (CEO) through the years {| class"wikitable"

!Term started!Term ended!Name!Notes|1975|1977|Salomon PienaarWEBSITE=SAA MUSEUM SOCIETYARCHIVE-DATE=3 JANUARY 2023URL-STATUS=LIVE, |1977|1982|Eddie Smuts||1982|1983|Frans Swarts||1983|1993|Gerrit van der Veer||1993|1998|Michael Myburgh ||1998|2001|Coleman AndrewsPUBLISHER=RMWC ACCESS-DATE=2021-11-19 ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20230103150530/HTTPS://WWW.RMWC.COM/TEAM/COLEMAN-ANDREWS/, live, |2001|2004|Andre ViljoenTITLE=VILJOEN SEEKS TO PUT THE PASSION BACK INTO SAA | NEWS DATE= ARCHIVE-DATE=3 JANUARY 2023 URL-STATUS=LIVE, 2004-07-13T00:00:00+01:00 >URL=HTTPS://WWW.FLIGHTGLOBAL.COM/TURMOIL-AT-SAA-AS-CHIEF-RESIGNS/55374.ARTICLE PUBLISHER=FLIGHT GLOBAL ACCESS-DATE=2021-11-19 ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20230103150532/HTTPS://WWW.FLIGHTGLOBAL.COM/TURMOIL-AT-SAA-AS-CHIEF-RESIGNS/55374.ARTICLE, live, |2004|2009|Khaya NgqulaPUBLISHER=PMG ACCESS-DATE=2021-11-19 ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20230103150533/HTTPS://PMG.ORG.ZA/COMMITTEE-MEETING/9995/, live, |2009|2010|Chris SmytheTITLE=SAA APPOINTS CHRIS SMYTH AS ACTING CEO DATE=2009-02-13 ARCHIVE-DATE=3 JANUARY 2023 URL-STATUS=LIVE, |2010|2012|Siza MzimelaTITLE=SAA CEO SIZA MZIMELA QUITS DATE=2012-10-09 ARCHIVE-DATE=3 JANUARY 2023 URL-STATUS=LIVE, |2012|2013|Vuyisile KonaPUBLISHER=CENTREFORAVIATION.COM ACCESS-DATE=2021-11-19 ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20230103150531/HTTPS://CENTREFORAVIATION.COM/ANALYSIS/REPORTS/SOUTH-AFRICAN-AIRWAYS-HITS-A-NEW-LOW-WITH-THE-SUSPENSION-OF-ACTING-CEO-VUYISILE-KONA-98087, live, |2013|2013|Nico BezuidenhoutPUBLISHER=POLITY ACCESS-DATE=2021-11-19 ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20230103150532/HTTPS://WWW.POLITY.ORG.ZA/PRINT-VERSION/SAA-SUSPENDS-ACTING-CEO-2013-02-12, live, |2013|2014|Monwabisi Kalawe DATE = 24 APRIL 2015 ARCHIVE-DATE = 3 JANUARY 2023 URL-STATUS = LIVE, |2014|2015|Nico Bezuidenhout ACCESS-DATE=22 FEBRUARY 2021 ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20230103150534/HTTPS://WWW.TIMESLIVE.CO.ZA/SUNDAY-TIMES/BUSINESS/2015-07-30-SAA-ACTING-CEO-NICO-BEZUIDENHOUT-RETURNS-TO-MANGO/, live, |2015|2015|Thuli MpesheURL=HTTPS://EWN.CO.ZA/TOPIC/SAA-ACTING-CEO-THULI-MPSHE PUBLISHER=EWN.CO.ZA ACCESS-DATE=2021-11-19 ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20230103152031/HTTPS://EWN.CO.ZA/TOPIC/SAA-ACTING-CEO-THULI-MPSHE, live, |2015|2017|Musi Zwane ACCESS-DATE=22 FEBRUARY 2021 ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20230103150529/HTTPS://WWW.TIMESLIVE.CO.ZA/SUNDAY-TIMES/BUSINESS/2015-11-18-SAA-NAMES-MUSA-ZWANE-AS-NEW-CEO/, live, |2017|2019|Vuyani JaranaPUBLISHER=NEWS24.COM ACCESS-DATE=2021-11-19 ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20230103150532/HTTPS://WWW.NEWS24.COM/FIN24/ECONOMY/SAA-CEO-VUYANI-JARANA-RESIGNS-20190602 PUBLISHER=SANEWS ACCESS-DATE=2021-11-19 ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20230103150542/HTTPS://WWW.SANEWS.GOV.ZA/SOUTH-AFRICA/VUYANI-JARANA-APPOINTED-SAA-CEO, live, |2019|2020|Zukisa Ramasia PUBLISHER=NEWS24.COM ACCESS-DATE=2021-11-19 ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20230103150536/HTTPS://WWW.NEWS24.COM/FIN24/COMPANIES/INDUSTRIAL/SAA-ACTING-CEO-ZUKS-RAMASIA-TO-RETIRE-EARLY-20200326-3, live, |2020|2020|Philip Saunders ACCESS-DATE = 22 FEBRUARY 2021 ARCHIVE-URL = HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20230103150547/HTTPS://MYBROADBAND.CO.ZA/NEWS/GOVERNMENT/380892-SAA-TO-LOSE-ITS-11TH-CEO-IN-11-YEARS-REPORT.HTML, live, |2021|2022|Thomas Kgokolo ACCESS-DATE = 15 APRIL 2021 ARCHIVE-URL = HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20230103150536/HTTPS://WWW.BUSINESSLIVE.CO.ZA/BD/NATIONAL/2021-04-14-SAA-APPOINTS-THOMAS-KGOKOLO-AS-INTERIM-CEO/, live, |2022|Incumbent|John Lamola| (Interim)

Delinquent Director Judgement - Dudu Myeni

In March 2017, Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse and the South African Airways Pilots' Association (SAAPA) brought an application in the Pretoria High Court for an order to declare Dudu Myeni a delinquent director in terms of section 162(5) of the South African Companies Act 71 of 2008. The application was based on Myeni's conduct whilst chair of the SAA board. During those five years (2012–2013 to 2016–2017), SAA ran up losses of R16.844bn‚ although it had previously been profitable.WEB, CHALLENGING DUDU MYENI-1,weblink 2020-04-19, OUTA.co.za, en-ZA, 3 October 2020,weblink live, WEB, CHALLENGING DUDU MYENI,weblink 2020-04-19, OUTA.co.za, en-ZA, 27 September 2020,weblink live, Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse and the South African Airways Pilots' Association (SAAPA) called six witnesses against Myeni, including four former SAA executives. Myeni was the only witness in her own defence.WEB, The NPA should investigate the allegations against Dudu Myeni,weblink 2020-04-19, Moneyweb.co.za, 2 March 2020, en-ZA, 21 March 2020,weblink live, WEB, HIGH COURT OF SOUTH AFRICA CASE NO: 15996/17 PLAINTIFFS' OPENING STATEMENT,weblink 2020-04-19, OUTA.co.za, en-ZA, 21 January 2021,weblink live, In closing argument, the counsel for the plaintiffs, Advocate Carol Steinberg, said during her time at SAA, Ms Myeni blocked, delayed and obstructed important initiatives to turn the airline around. She broke the law and flouted basic governance principles.WEB, HIGH COURT OF SOUTH AFRICA CASE NO: 15996/17 PLAINTIFFS' CLOSING ADDRESS,weblink 2020-04-19, OUTA.co.za, en-ZA, 21 January 2021,weblink live, The evidence in court showed a pattern of repeated misconduct: dishonesty, obstruction and interference, improperly inserting middlemen, and governance failures.WEB, Myeni was dishonest, obstructive and ignored good-governance principles while she chaired the SAA board.,weblink 2020-04-19, OUTA.co.za, en-ZA, 27 September 2020,weblink live, WEB, Dudu Myeni's delinquency case starts after dismissal of yet another application,weblink 2020-04-19, HeraldLive.co.za, en-ZA, 30 January 2020,weblink live, WEB, Hat Trick for OUTA in the case against Dudu Myeni,weblink 2020-04-19, Politicsweb.co.za, en-ZA, 4 April 2023,weblink live, WEB, DUDU MYENI LOSES BID TO STOP OUTA IN 'DELINQUENCY' CASE,weblink 2020-04-19, oudtshoorncourant.com, en-ZA, 2 March 2021,weblink live, Accused of bringing the embattled SAA to its knees, and based on her actions during her five-year tenure as chairperson of the SAA board, Myeni was declared a delinquent director and banned from holding any directorship position for life by Judge Ronel Tolmay at the Pretoria High Court on 27 May 2020.WEB, FORMER SAA BOARD CHAIR DUDU MYENI DECLARED A DELINQUENT DIRECTOR,weblink 2020-05-28, ewn.co.za, en-ZA, 8 June 2020,weblink live, WEB, Victory for civil society: Dudu Myeni declared delinquent director for life,weblink 2020-05-28, outa.co.za, en-ZA, 11 August 2020,weblink live, The judgement and evidence now goes to the National Prosecuting Authority so a criminal case can be pursued.WEB, Former SAA chair Dudu Myeni declared delinquent director,weblink 2020-05-28, fin24.com, en-ZA, 31 May 2020,weblink live, WEB, Dudu Myeni 'failed abysmally', declared delinquent director for life,weblink 2020-05-28, timeslive.co.za, en-ZA, 25 January 2021,weblink live,

Destinations

South African Airways flies to 17 destinations in 12 countries within Africa, Australia and South America as of January 2024.WEB, South African Airways (SA/SAA) routes,weblink 2022-06-24, Flight Radar, 3 January 2023,weblink live, Within South Africa, SAA operates to only three cities however, the airline previously had an extensive domestic and regional network through its affiliate partners such as its LCC Mango Airlines, Airlink, and South African Express.

Codeshare agreements

South African Airways codeshares with the following airlines:WEB, Profile on South African Airways,weblink live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20161103152952weblink">weblink 2016-11-03, 2016-11-03, CAPA, Centre for Aviation, {{div col|colwidth=17em}} {{Div col end}}

Interline agreement

South African Airways interlines with the following airlines:
  • Hawaiian AirlinesNEWS, 2017-04-25, SAA and Hawaiian Airlines strike deal, The Citizen, African News Agency,weblink 2017-04-25, 19 May 2017,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20170519111132weblink">weblink dead,

Fleet

File:Airbus A319-131 'ZS-SFG' South African Airways (15554993244).jpg|thumb|Former South African Airbus A319-100Airbus A319-100File:South African Airways Airbus A340 ZS-SXA Perth 2019 (01).jpg|thumb|South African Airbus A340-300 ]]

Current fleet

{{As of|2024|04}}, South African Airways operates an all-Airbus fleet composed of the following aircraft:planespotters.net - South African Airways {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114063322weblink |date=14 November 2022 }} retrieved 18 December 2022{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em auto; text-align:center"!rowspan=2|Aircraft!rowspan=2|In service!rowspan=2|Orders!colspan=3|Passengers!rowspan=2|Notes!C!Y!Total|Airbus A320-200|6|3|24|114|138|3 to be delivered by China Aircraft Leasing Company (CALC) by July 2024|Airbus A330-300|2|—|46|203|249||Airbus A340-300|1|—|38|215|253|!Total!9!3! colspan="5" |

Historical fleet

South African Airways has previously operated the following aircraft:{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em auto; text-align:center"|+ South African Airways historical fleet!Aircraft!Total!Introduced!Retired!Notes|Airbus A300B2|4|1976|2001||Airbus A300B4|4|1981|2001|Airbus A300>Airbus A300C4|1|1982|2000||Airbus A319-100|10|2004|2023|Airbus A320-200|7|1991|2002||7|2013|2020|Airbus A330-200|5|2002|2004|Leased from British Midland International and TAM Airlines|6|2011|2020||Airbus A340-200|6|2003|2014|Airbus A340>Airbus A340-600|9|2002|2021||Airbus A350-900|4|2019|2020|Airspeed Envoy>Airspeed AS.6 Envoy|4|1936|1938Avro York>Avro 685 York|8|1945|1947||Boeing 707-320|11|1960|1980South African Airways Flight 228>flight SA228|Boeing 727-100|6|1965|1982||Boeing 727-100C|3|1967|1982||Boeing 737-200|29|1968|2006||Boeing 737-200F|2|1981|2013|Boeing 737 Classic>Boeing 737-300SF|3|2007|2020||Boeing 737-800|21|2000|2018|Sixteen aircraft were transferred to Mango Airlines|Boeing 747-200B|5|1971|2004|ZS-SAN preserved at the South African Airways Museum Society at Rand Airport|Boeing 747-200F|2|1998|1999||Boeing 747-200M|2|1980|1994South African Airways Flight 295>flight SA295Boeing 747>Boeing 747-200SF|1|1995|2000||Boeing 747-300|6|1983|2004||Boeing 747-400|8|1991|2010||Boeing 747SP|6|1976|2003|ZS-SPC preserved at the South African Airways Museum Society at Rand Airport|Boeing 767-200ER|3|1993|2004|de Havilland DH.60 Moth>de Havilland DH.60 Gypsy Moth|1|1934|1937|de Havilland Dove>de Havilland DH.104 Dove|2|1947|1952|de Havilland Comet>de Havilland DH.106 Comet|2|1953|1954BOAC.G-ALYY crashed as South African Airways Flight 201>flight SA201 due to in-flight break up.|Douglas DC-3|8|1946|1970||Douglas DC-4|7|1946|1967||Douglas DC-7|4|1956|1967||Hawker Siddeley HS 748|3|1970|1983||Junkers F.13|4|1934|1940|Junkers Ju 52>Junkers Ju 52/3m|15|1934|1940||Junkers Ju 86|18|1937|1940||Junkers W.34|1|1934|1937||Lockheed Constellation|4|1950|1964||Lockheed L-18 Lodestar|21|1944|1955||Vickers VC.1 Viking|8|1947|1951||Vickers Viscount|8|1958|1971|

Services

In-flight services

Business class
South African Airways' Airbus A330-300 business-class seats have a pitch of 75" whilst those in the A340-300s are pitched at 73" respectively; in a 2-2-2 configuration in both types. Passengers receive a welcome pack, a duvet & full-size pillow and a personal touchscreen monitor with audio/video on demand. South African Airways operates the Airbus A320-200 on its domestic and regional routes. South African Airways' A320 business-class seats have a 39" pitch in a 2-2 configuration.WEB, SAA Fleet,weblink 4 July 2017, South African Airways Fleet, South African Airways, SAAFLEET_A, 25 February 2017,weblink live,
Economy
SAA Airbus A330 and A340 economy-class seats have a pitch of 32" in a 2-4-2 configuration. Passengers receive a welcome pack, a blanket & full-size pillow and a personal touchscreen monitor with audio/video on demand. The Airbus A320 economy-class seats have a pitch of 31".

Frequent-flyer program

Voyager is the frequent-flyer program of South African Airways. Apart from South African Airlink and South African Express, which have an alliance with SAA, the program also partners 32 other airlines, along with many more businesses.WEB, Voyager Programme Partners,weblink dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20100819041504weblink">weblink 19 August 2010, 3 January 2011, South African Airways, dmy-all, Voyager consists of five tiers – Blue, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Lifetime Platinum. To reach a higher tier, members must fly on selected flights to allocate "Tier Miles". This differs from "Base Miles", which members can only use to receive awards.WEB, About Miles,weblink dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20100819041504weblink">weblink 19 August 2010, 5 January 2011, South African Airways, dmy-all,

Airport Lounges

SAA hosts Domestic and International Lounges around the world accessible through SAA Business and First Class Passengers, Discovery Bank Platinum and above and Investec Black Card Customers.

Accidents and incidents

  • On 16 June 1937, a Junkers Ju 52/3m (registration ZS-AKY) was destroyed by fire after it crashed on take-off at Port Elizabeth Airport following engine failure in two engines. All on board escaped. This was the airline's first accident in which passengers were injured.BOOK, Young, Mark D, A Firm resolve: A History of SAA Accidents and Incidents 1934–1987, May 2007, Laminar Publishing Associates, South Africa,
  • On 16 October 1937, a Junkers W34 fi (registration ZS-AEC), named Sir George Grey, crashed during a mail flight. The aeroplane was damaged beyond repair.WEB, Civil Aircraft Register – South Africa,weblink Golden Years of Aviation, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20090107145418weblink">weblink 2009-01-07, WEB,weblink Accident Junkers W.34fi ZS-AEC, Aviation Safety Network, 12 June 2009, 24 October 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20121024165810weblink">weblink live,
  • On 28 March 1941, a Lockheed Model 18 Lodestar (registration ZS-AST) crashed at Elands Bay, South Africa. All on board were killed on impact and in the post-crash fire.WEB, Airline/Operator "Sj - Sz",weblink Plane Crash Info, 26 December 2006, 4 March 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120304070246weblink">weblink live,
  • On 5 January 1948, a Lockheed Model 18 Lodestar (registration ZS-ASW) touched down at Palmietfontein too far along the runway for it to stop before running off the end. The undercarriage was ripped off and the hull damaged beyond repair. There were light injuries to passengers but no fatalities.
  • On 15 October 1951, a Douglas DC-3 (registration ZS-AVJ), named Pardeberg, flying in instrument meteorological conditions en route on a domestic flight from Port Elizabeth to Durban, flew into Mount Ingeli near Kokstad, Western KwaZulu-Natal. Seventeen people were killed. The board of inquiry determined that the unserviceability of ground-based radio navigational aids along the route was a major contributing factor.
  • On 15 September 1952, a Douglas DC-3 (registration ZS-AVI) was damaged beyond repair while attempting to land at an unlit country airport at Carolina, South Africa after the crew became lost on a flight to Johannesburg from Livingstone, Zambia. After attempting to hold for thunderstorms to clear near their destination, the crew initiated a landing when their fuel ran low. The elevation of the airfield was mis-judged and the aircraft hit a rocky outcrop on final approach to the runway. No passengers or crew were killed or injured.
  • On 8 April 1954, a de Havilland Comet I (registration G-ALYY), Flight 201, departed Rome for Cairo and Johannesburg. The aircraft crashed off the coast of Italy following a in-flight breakup, killing all 21 people on board. The wreckage was never recovered, but all known evidence pointed to a repeat of the recent accident to BOAC Flight 781. The aircraft was leased on charter from BOAC with an SAA crew.
  • On 29 October 1960, a Boeing 707-344A (registration ZS-CKC), operating as Flight 218, executed a wheels-up landing at Nairobi airport after damaging the undercarriage during an impact with the ground on its initial approach. No passengers or crew were killed or injured but the aircraft remained out of operation for many months until it was repaired and re-introduced into service.
  • On 6 March 1962, a Douglas DC-3 (registration ZS-DJC) operating as Flight 512 crashed into a mountainside in the vicinity of Seymour, Eastern Cape, South Africa, after the pilot insisted on conducting the flight under visual flight rules (VFR) while flying below low cloud above rising ground. The pilot and first officer were killed but the passengers and cabin staff survived.
  • On 30 June 1962, a Douglas DC-4 (registration ZS-BMH) was involved in a mid-air collision with a military Harvard training aircraft near Durban airport. The military aircraft crashed but the crew managed to land the airliner without injury to passengers or crew despite losing a large part of the vertical stabiliser. The aircraft was the last DC-4 manufactured and was repaired and returned to service. It is currently owned by the South African Airways Museum Society and still flies.
  • On 13 March 1967, a Vickers Viscount 818 (registration ZS-CVA), christened Rietbok, operating as Flight 406, crashed into the sea near Kayser's Beach during bad weather while on approach to East London, Eastern Cape. All twenty-five persons on board were killed. The accident investigation board stated 'The available data is not sufficient for the originating cause of the accident to be determined with any degree of probability'. However the board could not rule out the possibility that the pilot suffered a heart attack resulting in a loss of control.WEB, Error,weblink www.caa.co.za, 27 November 2017, 1 December 2017,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20171201031537weblink">weblink live, {{dead link|date=December 2023|yes}}
  • On 20 April 1968, a six-week-old Boeing 707-344C (registration ZS-EUW), named Pretoria, operating Flight SA228, was lost near Windhoek, South West Africa (now Namibia). The crew used a flap-retraction sequence from the 707-B series which removed flaps in larger increments than desirable for that stage of the flight, leading to a loss of lift at {{Convert|600|ft|m}} above ground level. The subsequent descent went undetected by the crew, leading to impact with the ground. 123 people died.
  • On 24 May 1972, the only successful hijacking of a SAA flight took place; a Boeing 727-100 (registration ZS-SBE) was en route from Salisbury, Rhodesia (now known as Harare, Zimbabwe) to Johannesburg. Two Lebanese, Kamil and Yagi, took control of the aircraft by packing dynamite sticks on the hat-racks. They were armed with a pistol. They forced the pilot, Captain Blake Flemington, to return to Salisbury, where they landed and re-fuelled with 12 hostages remaining on board. The captain tricked them into thinking that they were en route to the Seychelles, while he was in fact heading for Blantyre, Malawi. After landing, the passengers used nightfall to enter the cockpit, where they climbed down the emergency escape rope. By the time the hijackers realised this, only the captain, one passenger, and a flight steward, Dirk Nel, remained on the aircraft. The two hijackers started fighting with each other for possession of the dynamite fuse. In the ensuing chaos, the three captives escaped, leaving the two hijackers on board. Members of the Malawi security forces started shooting and the two surrendered. They were jailed for two years on a charge of being in possession of an undeclared firearm on board an aircraft. After serving one year of their sentence, they were released.
File:South African Airways Boeing 747-200 Aragao-1.jpg|thumb|Boeing 747-244M ZS-SAS, photographed in 1986. ZS-SAS crashed in 1987 as South African Airways Flight 295South African Airways Flight 295
  • On 28 November 1987, a Boeing 747-200B Combi (registration ZS-SAS and named Helderberg), operating as Flight 295, crashed in the Indian Ocean en route from Taipei, Taiwan to Johannesburg via Mauritius, after a fire in the main cargo hold. The cause of the fire is undetermined, and a number of conspiracy theories (mostly pertaining to the nuclear armaments being produced by the South African government at the time) are in circulation surrounding the crash. Ignition of an ammonium perchlorate cargo, a chemical used as a missile propellant, is theorized by forensic scientists to have caused the fire. At the time, passenger jets of SAA were suspected to have illegally carried weapons cargo for Armscor, in an attempt to circumvent UN sanctions placed on apartheid-era South Africa. All 159 people on board were killed.
  • On 17 June 2006, on South African Airways Flight 322, a Boeing 737-800 en route from Cape Town to Johannesburg, a 21-year-old Zimbabwean took a flight attendant hostage in an attempt to enter the aircraft's cockpit and divert the aircraft to Maputo, Mozambique. He was subdued while still in the cabin. The pilots had been monitoring the incident via CCTV and the aircraft returned to Cape Town where a police task force stormed the aircraft and arrested the suspect.NEWS, 20 June 2006, Hijacking procedures top notch, says SAA, Cape Times,weblink 17 October 2007, 3 May 2008,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20080503101105weblink">weblink dead,
  • On 6 November 2018, an Airbus A340-600 (ZS-SNF) operating Flight SA260 over Switzerland, encountered an overspeed warning due to the aircraft entering a wind convergence zone. The aircraft was en route at FL380 over Switzerland about 40 nm south-southeast of Zurich (Switzerland) when the aircraft reached a speed of Mach 0.89. The pilot in command deactivated the autopilot and initiated a climb to FL400 in order to reduce the aircraft speed. The acceleration caused an Angle of Attack warning, which the flight crew misinterpreted as being a malfunction. Subsequently, two of the three AIRDUs were deactivated. This also deactivated the auto throttle and deactivated some protection, causing the aircraft to enter a near stall state. The situation was recovered at FL340, with the pilots saying that they temporarily lost control of the aircraft. The investigation revealed that the checklists were not followed and the pilots were not properly trained on handling overspeed events. The pilots were not informed, that a bulletin addressing the Angle of Attack warning system was already implemented. They also found out, that one of the copilots did hold a CPL instead of the ATPL required by the airline. The flight continued to Frankfurt for a safe landing, where the crew were interviewed by the German authorities. Germany's BFU, which led the investigation, reported the aircraft event as a serious incident.WEB, Incident: SAA A346 over Switzerland on Nov 6th 2018, overspeed, dual ADR failure,weblink 2022-11-20, avherald.com, 12 February 2022,weblink live, NEWS, 2019-03-01, South African Airways pilot resigns over fake licence, en-GB, BBC News,weblink 2022-11-20, 12 February 2022,weblink live, WEB, Kretschmer, Norman, 12 June 2023, Untersuchungsbericht [Aktenzeichen: BFU18-1626-FX], Investigation Report [file reference: BFU18-1626-FX],weblink live,weblink 14 July 2023, 14 July 2023, Bundesstelle für Flugunfalluntersuchung - Abschlussberichte, DE,
  • On 24 February 2021, an Airbus A340-600 operating as Flight SA4272 sent from Johannesburg to Brussels to fetch COVID-19 vaccines encountered an "alpha floor event" sent by the ACARS unit of the plane. This was activated when the Airbus A340-600's envelope protection system activated to override the pilots to prevent the plane from stalling on take-off.WEB,weblink SAA probed after 'extraordinarily dangerous' take-off, 23 March 2021, 23 March 2021,weblink live,
  • On 12 November 2022, an SAA Airbus A320 (ZS-SZJ) being towed collided into a parked FlySafair Boeing 737-8BG (ZS-SJH) at O. R. Tambo International Airport.WEB, Reporter, Citizen, 2022-11-12, FlySafair plane struck by SAA aircraft in parking accident at OR Tambo airport,weblink 2022-11-20, The Citizen, en, 20 November 2022,weblink live, WEB, Head, Tom, 2022-11-13, SAA technician accused of 'sleeping' during OR Tambo collision,weblink 2022-11-20, The South African, en-ZA, 20 November 2022,weblink live, No passengers were onboard either aircraft at the time. The FlySafair’s empennage section and SAA wing tip were damaged. As a result, both aircraft were rendered inoperable.WEB, Newsroom – South African Airways,weblink 2022-11-20, flysaa.com, 7 March 2018,weblink live, WEB, Mthethwa, Cebelihle, FlySafair aircraft struck by wingtip of SAA Airbus at OR Tambo airport,weblink 2022-11-20, News24, en-US, 20 November 2022,weblink live,

See also

  • {{annotated link|Airlines of Africa}}
  • {{annotated link|Airlink}}
  • {{annotated link|Congo Express}}
  • {{annotated link|List of companies of South Africa}}
  • {{annotated link|Mango (airline)|Mango}}
  • {{annotated link|South African Express}}
  • {{annotated link|Transport in South Africa}}
  • {{annotated link|Category:Airports in South Africa|Wikipedia category of airports in South Africa}}
  • {{annotated link|Dudu MyeniSouth African Airways|Dudu Myeni }}
  • {{annotated link|Malusi GigabaSouth African Airways|Malusi Gigaba }}

References

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

Further reading

  • BOOK, Marson, Peter J., The Lockheed Constellation Series, Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd, 1982, 0-85130-100-2,
  • WEB, South African Airways: A Brief History,weblink SAA Museum Society,
  • WEB, South African Airways = FUBAR,weblink Word of Mouth Music,
  • WEB, OUTA – SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS (SAA) & BNP CAPITAL,weblink Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse,
  • WEB, OUTA – CHALLENGING DUDU MYENI,weblink Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse,

External links

{{Commons category-inline|South African Airways|left=yes}}
  • {{Official websiteweblink}}
  • {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/19971210132601weblink |date=10 December 1997 |title=South African Airways}}
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