South African Airways\u00a0plans to add 64% new destinations from its hub in Johannesburg by the end of April as it rebuilds its business to focus on regional and international routes after a deal with an investor\u00a0collapsed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The company aims to add nine destinations to its existing 14 and plans to boost the number of aircraft by 50% to 21 by March, interim Chief Executive Officer John Lamola said, adding that the South African flag carrier has the cash to fund its expansion.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are cash-positive as a company, and we are able to survive in the next 12 to 18 months on our own,\u201d Lamola said in an interview with Bloomberg Television in Johannesburg. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur strategic position is to differentiate ourselves as a national flag carrier to be able to offer the country the connectivity with key investment and trading partners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The airline, founded in 1934, has had rely on taxpayers for years until its bankruptcy following the pandemic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A plan by the government to sell a 51% stake in the carrier was abandoned in March, forcing the company to scale back its expansion plans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While South African Airways won\u2019t seek bailouts, it would ask for sovereign guarantees to expand over the next three years, Lamola said.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lamola said the company could not comment on the nine new destinations as it was commercially sensitive.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lamola said the carrier also plans to open routes to Frankfurt, Munich, London, and cities on the east coast of the US<\/strong>, though those destinations would only be considered in the year ending March 2028.<\/p>\n\n\n\n