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Founded | 24 July 1929 (as Union Airways) | ||||||
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Commenced operations | 1 February 1934 (as South African Airways) | ||||||
Hubs | O. R. Tambo International Airport | ||||||
Secondary hubs | Cape Town International Airport | ||||||
Frequent-flyer program | Voyager | ||||||
Alliance | Star Alliance | ||||||
Subsidiaries |
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Fleet size | 12 | ||||||
Destinations | 13 | ||||||
Parent company | Government of South Africa | ||||||
Headquarters | Airways Park, O. R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa | ||||||
Key people |
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Revenue | ![]() | ||||||
Operating income | ![]() | ||||||
Profit | ![]() | ||||||
Total assets | ![]() | ||||||
Website | www |
South African Airways (SAA) is the flag carrier of South Africa.[4] 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 13 destinations in Africa and two intercontinental destinations to Perth, Australia and Sau Paulo, Brazil.[5] The carrier joined Star Alliance in April 2006, making it the first African carrier to sign with one of the three major airline alliances.[6]
The airline entered voluntary business rescue in December 2019 as a result of financial difficulties,[7] and suspended all operations the following year.[8] In June 2021, the South African government announced that SAA would be partially privatised in a Strategic Equity Partnership (SEP) transaction with the Takatso Consortium, which would hold a 51% controlling stake and 49% remaining with the State. After almost three years of protracted negotiations, the government terminated the SEP with Takatso, reverting back to the status quo of a 100% state-owned SAA. [9] 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.[5]
The airline restarted operations on 23 September 2021,[10] despite not having concluded the investment agreement with the proposed private partners.[11] Nonetheless, SAA was recognised as the second best airline in Africa by Skytrax in 2021,[12] despite not having flown a single scheduled flight for 18 months.
Since emerging from business rescue, SAA has grown steadily, with a fleet capacity of 12 aircraft, 15 destinations and 2000 employees.[13]