SAA launches new international route

South African Airways’ (SAA) inaugural direct flight between Johannesburg and Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), took off from OR Tambo International Airport and landed safely at Luano International Airport on 4 November 2024.

The A320 aircraft departed Johannesburg at 10.50am this morning (Monday, 4 November 2024) and landed in Lubumbashi a little more than three hours later.

SAA said that the new route’s schedule of five weekly flights accommodates both point-to-point and connecting passengers.

Many major companies in the DRC are located in Lubumbashi, and the state-owned airline highlighted that flight schedules are aimed to enhance ground transfers to business and industrial centers, as well as key mining sites in the DRC and nearby Zambia.

Professor John Lamola, SAA interim chief executive said that “as an enabler of trade and commerce in Africa, SAA connects two of Africa’s most influential economies and mining centres.”

This brings “together industries, communities and entrepreneurs and enabling us to unlock greater prosperity, foster collaboration and generate new opportunities for trade, investment and development,” he added.

South Africa and the DRC share a strong trade relationship, with exports from South Africa to the DRC growing significantly over the past few years.

In 2022, South African exports to the DRC reached R26.6 billion, primarily consisting of refined petroleum and mining machinery.

While South Africa’s exports to the DRC are substantial, the DRC’s exports to South Africa are relatively modest, primarily comprising refined copper, precious metal scraps, raw zinc, and other minerals.

“Direct air connectivity between the two nations will nurture this trade relationship and strengthen
it to the benefit of both nations and the broader continental economy,” said SAA.

The group said that the SAA aircraft that services the new route offer superior belly cargo capacity to meet the cargo requirements of the continental mining, infrastructure and industrial sectors.

“Through this flight we are not merely adding another regional route to our itinerary list; we are also reinforcing a vision for Africa’s future: one where trade flows freely, enabled by connectivity and networking,” said Lamola.

“SAA is honoured to play a role in furthering the legacy of friendship and shared prosperity between South Africa and the DRC.

“We believe in the immense potential of Africa, and today we are reminded of the power that lies in our connections, our partnerships and our shared commitment to growth,” added Lamola.

Transport minister Barbara Creecy recently said that SAA is now debt-free and will not be requesting additional funding from the government.

However, the airline requires a cash injection investment through an equity share partner to reach a healthy financial state and return to its “glory days”.

“As it stands, SAA is debt-free and not looking for additional funding from the National Treasury,” said Creecy.

“Since exiting business rescue, SAA has repositioned itself as a leading national carrier, taking advantage of its ability to provide long-haul and intercontinental flight services and leveraging its partnerships with other airlines.

“The entity currently has 16 aircraft operating on three domestic, ten regional and two international routes,” added the minister.

In hopes of returning to its former glory days, SAA has increased its flight frequencies to key African destinations, starting November 2024.

Starting in November, SAA will operate 12 weekly flights to both Harare and Lusaka, up from the current 10 times a week to Harare and up from 7 to Lusaka. Flights to Lagos and Accra will increase to four times a week, up from three weekly flights.

SAA will also increase its flights to Mauritius in December and to Perth in January next year.

Domestically, SAA will increase its flights to Gqeberha to three times a day.

“South Africa has seen a promising travel recovery this year, with most visitors coming from other parts of the African continent [and] our strategic growth focuses on expanding routes based on demand and feasibility,” said Lamola.

“We are also guided by our unique mandate as a national carrier, to ensure that we help grow South Africa’s economy. Air travel plays a key role in building our tourism and trade links across Africa, which benefits both South Africa and the continent as a whole,” he added.

Read: Debt-free SAA still needs cash