Thursday 23 September will see South African Airways and Comair return to scheduled passenger flying after one year’s grounding due to financial difficulties not helped by Covid.

Interim CEO Thomas Kgokolo says: “After months of diligent work, we are delighted that SAA is resuming service and we look forward to welcoming on board our loyal passengers and flying the South African flag. We continue to be a safe carrier and adhering to Covid-19 protocols.”

SAA will, as an initial phase, operate flights from Johannesburg to Cape Town, Accra, Harare, Kinshasa, Lusaka and Maputo.  More destinations will be added to the route network as it ramps up operations in response to market conditions.

He said the goal is “to rebuild and sustain a profitable airline that once again takes a leadership role among local, continental and international airlines.”

John Lamola, Chairman of SAA’s Board, noted that since the carrier came out of the business rescue (which allows a company restructuring) at the end of April, government agencies have been planning for the relaunching of “a restructured and fit-for-purpose airline that South Africans can again be proud of.”

www.flysaa.com