SAA ups flights on continent

"South African Airways (SAA) today announced that it has commenced adding additional frequencies to its network which will substantially increase air services to some of its key African routes," said spokesperson Tlali Tlali.

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 Monday, Harare (Zimbabwe) and Maputo (Mozambique) have included additional frequencies, with Maputo Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo), Harare (Zimbabwe) 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, Gross Domestic Product (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," said Bezuidenhout.

Effective 1 December SAA increased frequencies between Johannesburg and Maputo by 19% from 17 to 21 weekly frequencies, effective 1 December Johannesburg and Harare from 18 to 19 every week (5%), effective 4 December; Johannesburg and Kinshasa from 6 to 7 a week (6%) and effective 4 December.

Johannesburg and Mauritius from 9 to 10 weekly frequencies (9% increase). Updated schedules are available across all SAA distribution channels, including its website, www.flysaa.com.