South African Airways (SAA) has announced that it has commenced
adding additional frequencies to its network which will substantially increase
air services to some of its key African routes.
The additional capacity injection answers the commercial
mandate of the Long-Term Turnaround Strategy (LTTS), and is in response to
positive market growth. As of yesterday,
Harare (Zimbabwe) and Maputo (Mozambique), have included additional
frequencies, with Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo), and Mauritius to
follow.
“The strengthening of
these routes comes in the wake of positive load factors and increased traffic
between the countries,” says SAA Acting Chief Executive Officer Nico
Bezuidenhout. Presently, GDP growth in Mozambique (7% - African Development
Bank) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (8.1%- African Development Bank)
exceed World Bank growth statistics for the continent (4.7%-2013) while South
Africa’s trade and demand for leisure and business travel to Mauritius is
growing at a steady pace. “Air lift services traditionally lead GDP in all
markets and also track the rate of increased leisure travel, investment and
business engagement between South Africa and its continental peers.”
Effective 1 December
SAA increased frequencies between Johannesburg and Maputo by 24% from 17 to 21
weekly frequencies, effective 1 December Johannesburg and Harare from 18 to 19
every week (6%), effective 4 December Johannesburg and Kinshasa from 6 to 7 a
week (17%) and effective 4 December
Johannesburg and Mauritius from 9 to 10 weekly frequencies (11% increase).
Updated schedules are available across all SAA distribution channels, including
its website www.flysaa.com.
