73-475: Union Airways of South Africa was the first South African commercial airline. It operated as an independent company for five years, from 1929 to 1934, before being taken over by the government as South African Airways . Union Airways were founded by Major Allister Miller , a World War I flying ace, who had recruited some 2000 South Africans for service in the Royal Air Force . The word "Union" referred to
146-624: A public company or a state-owned enterprise , while others have been completely privatized . The aviation industry has also been gradually deregulated and liberalized, permitting greater freedoms of the air particularly in the United States and in the European Union with the signing of the Open Skies agreement. One of the features of such agreements is the right of a country to designate multiple airlines to serve international routes with
219-471: A 3-stop flight from Seattle . It was placed into service in December and proved very popular. SAA eventually operated 23 brand-new "Jumbo Jets", including the −200M (first delivered in 1980), −300 (1983), −400, and the long-range Boeing 747SP , first delivered on 18–19 March 1976, with a nonstop delivery flight of ZS-SPA from Everett, Washington, USA to Cape Town. The 747SP, especially, was acquired to overcome
292-573: 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. 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. The airline restarted operations on 23 September 2021, despite not having concluded
365-617: A 707. The first 707 of SAA landed in Europe in October 1961 with a nine-hour flight to Athens . The jets arrived during a period when most African countries, except SA's neighbours, denied South African airlines the use of their airspace , necessitating long detours. In 1967 the Skymasters, Constellations and DC-7Bs were being retired, replaced by the Boeing 727 trijet the following year to complement
438-575: A Boeing 747SP; Mauritius had earlier replaced the Seychelles for the Hong Kong service. South Africa became one of the few countries in the world to recognize the government of the Republic of China on Taiwan . Because some African countries denied SAA the use of their airspace, SAA bypassed the 'bulge' of Africa, usually via Ilha do Sal - a detour of almost 3,000 kilometres (1,900 mi). Another bypass
511-590: A South African arms manufacturer, in an attempt to circumvent a UN arms embargo placed on apartheid South Africa. On 28 November 1987, South African Airways Flight 295 , a Boeing 747 -200 Combi en route from Taipei to Johannesburg with a stopover in Mauritrius experienced a catastrophic in-flight fire in the cargo area, broke up in mid-air, and crashed into the Indian Ocean east of Mauritius, killing all 159 people on board. Ignition of an ammonium perchlorate cargo,
584-783: A certificate under Section 401 of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (i.e., any U.S.-based airline operating internationally), and any ship registered in the United States is known as a U.S. flag vessel . The term "flag carrier" is a legacy of the early days of commercial aviation when governments often took the lead by establishing state-owned airlines because of the high capital costs of running them. However, not all such airlines were government-owned; Pan Am , TWA , Cathay Pacific , Union de Transports Aériens , Canadian Pacific Air Lines and Olympic Airlines were all privately owned, but were considered to be flag carriers as they were
657-534: A chemical used as a missile propellant, is theorized by forensic scientists to have caused the fire. With the demise of apartheid in 1990, SAA started services to former and new destinations in Africa and Asia. On 1 June 1990, South African companies signed a domestic air travel deregulation act. Flights to New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport resumed in November 1991 and SAA's planes were able to fly for
730-426: A codesharing agreement with SAA, and SAA commissioned Diefenbach Elkins and Herdbuoys to lead its change of image. SAA's Voyager and American Airlines ' AAdvantage frequent flier clubs joined. As of April 1996, South African employed 11,100 people, of whom 3,100 were engineers. It owned and operated 48 aircraft, and served 34 destinations from its hubs at Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg. In 1997, SAA replaced
803-518: A flight in one of the Junkers. In 1933, Union Airways placed a Junkers at the disposal of deputy prime minister General Jan Smuts for an election tour. The South African government bought Union Airways in 1934, and renamed it South African Airways . The operation began as an airmail delivery service, with a government contract to fly airmail between Cape Town and the major centres in South Africa. Mail
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#1732884888691876-448: A given sovereign state , enjoys preferential rights or privileges accorded by the government for international operations. Historically, the term was used to refer to airlines owned by the government of their home country and associated with the national identity of that country. Such an airline may also be known as a national airline or a national carrier , although this can have different legal meanings in some countries. Today, it
949-524: A leased Junkers F13 and Junkers A50 were among the acquired aircraft. Upon acquisition, the government changed the airline's name to South African Airways . It then came under control of the South African Railways and Harbours Administration (now Transnet ). Charter operations started that year. On 1 February the following year, the carrier acquired Suidwes Lugdiens / South West Airways (now Air Namibia ), which had since 1932 been providing
1022-692: A longtime company goal by operating a route to Europe when an Avro York landed in Bournemouth , England, after the long flight from Palmietfontein Airport near Johannesburg. These were replaced by the Douglas DC-4 from 1946 onwards, which in turn was replaced by the Lockheed Constellation on international routes in 1950. Also of note in the postwar era was the DC-3 Dakota, of which eight served with SAA,
1095-673: A rampage. The US Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986 banned all flights by South African–owned carriers, including SAA. In 1987, SAA's services to Perth and Sydney in Australia were ended, in light of the Australian Government's opposition to apartheid. In January 1992, the journal of the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) reported that the SAA had allegedly confirmed that its passenger jets had carried cargo for Armscor ,
1168-665: A sale agreement with Swissair in which Transnet sold 20% of its shareholding in SAA to Swissair for R1.4 billion and also included an option to sell and transfer a further 10% to Swissair, thereby increasing its stake to 30%. In 2002, the South African government repurchased the shares. Swissair's costly purchases of SAA's and many other large international airlines' shares led directly to its own shocking bankruptcy filing, on 1 April 2002. In 2000, SAA ordered 21 Boeing 737-800s , reportedly worth US$ 680 million. Five CFM 56-7B27 -powered examples were requested outright from Boeing ,
1241-513: A same-day return "shuttle" service to Sydney. This year also saw codesharing agreements with American Airlines and Air Tanzania . There were nonstop flights to Bangkok and Singapore ; the latter were discontinued by 1996. The airline Alliance, a partnership between SAA, Uganda Airlines and Air Tanzania , also began. SAA greeted its passengers in four different languages during domestic flights: English, Zulu , Afrikaans and Sotho , while passengers on international flights were also greeted in
1314-629: A spot on the Zagat Survey 's top-ten international airlines list, opened a new website and named Andre Viljoen as chief executive officer (CEO). In March 2004, South African Airways announced its application to join Star Alliance . The airline alliance accepted its application in June, with SAA joining as a full member in April 2006. In July 2004, Andre Viljoen resigned as CEO of SAA. In August 2004, Khaya Ngqula
1387-614: A weekly air-mail service between Windhoek and Kimberley . During this time, SAA ordered three Junkers Ju 52/3m aircraft, which were delivered in October 1934 and entered service 10 days later. These aircraft were configured to carry 14 passengers, along with four crew. They enabled thrice-weekly Durban– Johannesburg services, with weekly services on the Durban – East London – Port Elizabeth –George/ Mossel Bay – Cape Town route. On 1 July 1935, SAA moved its operations to Rand Airport as it became increasingly obvious that Johannesburg would become
1460-543: Is a member of the Star Alliance . In 1986, the South African Airways Museum Society opened its doors to the public at Jan Smuts International Airport (which was renamed O. R. Tambo International Airport in 2006). The organisation was formed by South African Airways employees and outside parties with the mission of preserving South African aviation history, especially that of SAA itself. Based at Transvaal Aviation Club, Rand Airport , Germiston , it
1533-422: Is any international airline with a strong connection to its home country or that represents its home country internationally, regardless of whether it is government-owned. Flag carriers may also be known as such due to laws requiring aircraft or ships to display the state flag of the country of their registry . For example, under the law of the United States, a U.S. flag air carrier is any airline that holds
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#17328848886911606-520: The 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta . The airline started online ticket sales and formed an alliance with SA Airlink and SA Express . In 1998, services to Copenhagen Airport were stopped. A new airline president and CEO, Coleman Andrews, was appointed. The arrival of the American saw a comprehensive and controversial overhaul of the airline, changing the management of SAA. Mr Andrews was hired by Transnet,
1679-513: The Airbus A300 , which had entered revenue service in 1976. The 727s were eliminated by 1983, replaced by the more economical Boeing 737 . When countries withdrew landing rights for SAA, the airline leased its aircraft and crews to Canada, Mauritius, Brazil, Morocco and Luxembourg. Due to international opposition to apartheid during the 1980s, SAA's offices were attacked. In Harare, Zimbabwe, its offices were badly damaged after protesters went on
1752-515: The Airbus A320 , to assist and enhance services within the country and on regional services. Boeing 767s arrived in August, 1993 and flew on African, Southern European and Middle Eastern routes. They were retired within ten years. During 1992, SAA began flights to Miami with a Cape Town to Miami International Airport nonstop Boeing 747-400 route, and re-entered Australia, flying nonstop to Perth with
1825-539: The Best Cargo Airline to Africa award from Air Cargo News – (even though South African is mainly a passenger airline) – and South African Airways signed a codesharing agreement with Nigeria Airways to provide service from the United States to Lagos using South African Airways 747s (this codeshare agreement is no longer in effect, and SAA's flights to/from the United States no longer stop in Nigeria). The airline earned
1898-587: The Springbok emblem and the old national colours of orange, white and blue with a new livery based upon the new national flag, with a sun motif. The airline's name on its aircraft retained the Afrikaans name Suid-Afrikaanse Lugdiens . As a symbol of the new rainbow nation following the release of Nelson Mandela , one of SAA's 747-300s, named Ndizani (registration ZS-SAJ), was painted in bright colours. This special-liveried 747-300 transported South African athletes to
1971-526: The "main national airline" and often a sign of their country's presence abroad. The heavily regulated aviation industry also meant aviation rights are often negotiated between governments, denying airlines access to an open market. These Bilateral Air Transport Agreements similar to the Bermuda I and Bermuda II agreements specify rights awardable only to locally registered airlines, forcing some governments to jump-start airlines to avoid being disadvantaged in
2044-489: The 747 entered service, its smaller siblings, the 707s, were converted to combi (passenger/cargo) configurations and high-density seating. All of SAA's Vickers Viscounts were sold by March 1972 after being replaced by Boeing 737s . SAA opened a route to Asia, with Boeing 707 flights to Hong Kong via an intermediate stop at the Seychelles Islands in June 1974. In 1980, SAA began nonstop flights to Taipei using
2117-627: The Boeing 707 was deployed on the airline's flagship Springbok Service , trimming the flying time to London to 13 hours. Other changes brought about by the 707 were a livery change, to an orange tail with blue and white markings, as well as improved comfort, range and speed. A 707 replaced the DC-7B on the Wallaby Route in 1967; Cocos Islands was dropped, while Sydney became the terminus. Flights to New York, via Rio de Janeiro , started on 23 February 1969 using
2190-420: The Boeing 707. The choice of 727 was based on the geography of the destinations to which it would fly; for example Johannesburg is 1,694 metres (5,558 ft) high and hot , where the 727's wings and other technical capabilities enable it to operate out of such airports. On 13 March 1968, SAA ordered five Boeing 747-200Bs . The first, Lebombo (registered as ZS-SAN ), was delivered on 22 October 1971 after
2263-591: The British airline on 4 October 1953, when Comet G-ANAV left London for Johannesburg. On the same day, Tourist Class was introduced on the 58-seat Lockheed Constellation used on the Springbok Service. The two chartered aircraft sported both BOAC and SAA titles and logos, but were operated by SAA crews. In 1956 Suid-Afrikaanse Lugdiens introduced the Douglas DC-7 B, capable of long- range operations and then probably
Union Airways - Misplaced Pages Continue
2336-470: The Gypsy Moths that had been sold or written off. One Puss Moth crashed near Sir Lowry's Pass, with pilot and two passengers killed. The Fokker Super Universal crashed at Kayser's Beach near East London on 31 December 1931 (no injuries). Imperial Airways began operating a scheduled service from England to South Africa on 20 February 1932. At first only airmail was carried, passengers were later carried and
2409-623: The SAAF after the arrival of the Junkers Ju 86s. The main aircraft of SAA in the 1930s was the Junkers Ju 52. Other types used in the 1930s included eighteen Junkers Ju 86s, which served from 1937 onwards. The slow growth continued during the 1940s, though the airline was effectively closed for the duration of World War II . In 1944, SAA began operating 28 Lockheed Lodestars to restart domestic services and by 1948 SAA operating nineteen examples. These were withdrawn in 1955. On 10 November 1945, SAA achieved
2482-555: The accession process. In May 2007, SAA launched an 18-month comprehensive restructuring programme which aimed to make the airline profitable. According to then-CEO Khaya Ngqula, this came largely after "uncompetitive ownership and aircraft lease costs, excessive head count and fuel price volatility". The programme involved: the spin-off of businesses into seven subsidiaries, thereby allowing SAA to concentrate on its core business of passenger and cargo transport; grounding SAA's Boeing 747-400 fleet; rationalising international routes (Paris
2555-589: The acquisition of Union Airways by the South African government . The airline was initially overseen and controlled by South African Railways and Harbours Administration . Anti-apartheid sanctions by African countries deprived the airline of stopover airports during apartheid , forcing it to bypass the continent with long- range aircraft. During this time, it was also known by its Afrikaans name, Suid-Afrikaanse Lugdiens ( SAL , lit. ' "South African Air Service" ' ), which has since been dropped by
2628-529: The aging Boeing 737-200 fleet, but the Boeing 737-800s continued in service because SAA cancelled its A320 order before any aircraft were delivered. Later that year, South African Airways made a successful bid for a 49% stake in Air Tanzania . The move highlighted SAA's wish to gain a foothold in eastern Africa. The bid was worth $ 20 million, and was SAA's first acquisition of a foreign airline. The merger failed in 2006, when new SAA management felt that
2701-400: The airline and forced Miller to approach the South African government to take over the operation. The South African government took over the assets and liabilities of Union Airways on 1 February 1934. This included 40 staff members and three Junkers F13s, one DH60 Gypsy Moth, one DH80A Puss Moth and a leased Junkers F13 and Junkers A50. The airline was named South African Airways and fell under
2774-552: The airline and three for the South African Air Force ) were placed. This raised the number of Ju 52s to fourteen, although three older models were sold when deliveries of the newer Ju 52s began. The airline experienced a rapid expansion during this time, but also suffered its first accident; one of the newly delivered Ju 52s crashed after takeoff from Rand Airport in July 1937, with one reported fatality. From 1 February 1934 until
2847-455: The airline to move their base from Port Elizabeth to Durban. Major Miller also placed an order for 3 Junkers Ju 52/3m aircraft; an all-metal airliner with three engines which could carry up to 18 passengers. When one of the Junkers W34 aircraft crashed in bad weather near the town of Eshowe in late 1933, two crew and three passengers were killed (one passenger survived). This was a major blow to
2920-404: The airline. In 1997 SAA changed its name, image and aircraft livery and introduced online ticketing services. In 2006, SAA was split from Transnet , its parent company , to operate as an independent airline. It remains one of the largest of South Africa's state-owned enterprises . SAA owned Mango , a low-cost domestic airline, and established links with Airlink and South African Express . It
2993-431: The arrangement was fruitless. On 1 February 2000, South African Airways and Delta Air Lines started to codeshare on SAA-operated nonstop Boeing 747-400 flights from Atlanta to Johannesburg, with return flights operated via Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Florida due to range limitations caused by the 5,557-foot altitude at Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport. In 2001, South African Airways won
Union Airways - Misplaced Pages Continue
3066-694: The control of the South African Railways and Harbours administration. SAA honoured the order for the three Junkers Ju 52/3m aircraft. South African Airways South African Airways ( SAA ) is the flag carrier of South Africa . 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 São Paulo , Brazil . The carrier joined Star Alliance in April 2006, making it
3139-470: The country's aviation hub, which coincided with the launching of Rand–Durban–East London–Port Elizabeth–Cape Town services. From July the following year a weekly Rand–Kimberley– Beaufort West –Cape Town service commenced; in April 1936, all Rand–Cape Town services were taken over from Imperial Airways . A fourth Ju 52/3m soon joined the fleet. Orders for a further ten Ju 52/3m aircraft, along with eighteen Junkers Ju 86s and seven Airspeed Envoys (four for
3212-620: The departing UK-bound steamship. Union Airways carried its first passenger from Cape Town to East London on 3 September 1929. The airline also undertook the carriage of sick persons on mercy flights (unscheduled; route and schedule as required). As both mail and passenger traffic increased Miller bought a Fokker Super Universal single engine aircraft that could carry six passengers; this aircraft entered service on 29 May 1930. The next aircraft type to enter service with Union Airways were two de Havilland DH 80A Puss Moths. These aircraft could carry two passengers in an enclosed cabin and replaced some of
3285-541: The destination's language. On 24 April 1994, South African Express (SA Express), a feeder airline service of South African, began operating after a 3-year preparation process begun in 1991, when the regional airline was granted its operating license. SAA initially held a 20% stake in SA Express (Alliance Airline Holdings held 51%, SA Enterprises, 24.9% and Abyss Investments, 4.1%). SA Express took over some of SAA's low-density domestic routes. In 1995, Lufthansa started
3358-534: The end of the year; these aircraft were utilised on internal services for a short time and were sold within a few years. The 28-seat Vickers Viking served the airline briefly, before being sold to British European Airways . Palmietfontein Airport replaced Rand Airport as SAA's hub in 1948. In June 1948, SAA began to show films on its Skymaster aircraft. SAA received four Lockheed Constellations , its first pressurised aircraft, in August 1950. They provided scheduled service to London's Heathrow airport. Initially,
3431-421: The face of foreign competition. Some countries also establish flag carriers such as Israel 's El Al or Lebanon 's Middle East Airlines for nationalist reasons or to aid the country's economy, particularly in the area of tourism. In many cases, governments would directly assist in the growth of their flag carriers typically through subsidies and other fiscal incentives. The establishment of competitors in
3504-517: The fastest piston-engine airliner in the world. SAA exploited the aircraft's performance by introducing it between Johannesburg and London with only one fuelling stop at Khartoum . This was known as the East Coast express , taking 21 hours to complete, versus BOAC's inaugural Comet flight between the two cities of 24 hours. This later became the West Coast express when the technical stop at Khartoum
3577-487: The first African carrier to sign with one of the three major airline alliances. The airline entered voluntary business rescue in December 2019 as a result of financial difficulties, and suspended all operations the following year. 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
3650-462: The first time over Egypt and Sudan, on 8 September. The airline launched flights to Milan on 1 June during the year, and services to Athens were re-introduced. Also, an interline with Aeroflot was established. The first of SAA's eight Boeing 747-400s , named Durban , arrived in South Africa on 19 January 1991. The airplane was unusual in that two different turbofan engines were operated. Six Rolls-Royce RB211-524H -powered examples were ordered;
3723-525: The fleet. Imperial's airmail service from Britain to Cape Town was routed via Rand Airport and Kimberley and this made the Union Airways airmail service from Cape Town to Johannesburg unnecessary. The carriage of airmail from Durban to Johannesburg and Durban to Cape Town was contracted to Union Airways. Passenger growth on the Durban – Johannesburg service grew steadily culminating in a daily flight. This compelled
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#17328848886913796-406: The form of other locally registered airlines may be prohibited or heavily regulated to avoid direct competition. Even where privately run airlines may be allowed to be established, the flag carriers may still be accorded priority, especially in the apportionment of aviation rights to local or international markets. Near the end of the 20th century, many of these airlines have been corporatized as
3869-623: The introduction of the Douglas DC-3 on the Johannesburg– Durban route. From 1946, passengers and cargo carried increased, along with the size of SAA's fleet and staff. As the Skymasters arrived, out went the Avro Yorks, back to BOAC . Air hostesses were introduced in September 1946: at first on domestic routes, then on Springbok Services . The two de Havilland Doves were introduced at
3942-407: The investment agreement with the proposed private partners. Nonetheless, SAA was recognised as the second best airline in Africa by Skytrax in 2021, 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. South African Airways was founded in 1934 after
4015-603: The last example being withdrawn as late as 1970. On 10 November 1945, the airline introduced its first intercontinental service, the 3-day Springbok Service , operated by the Avro York , which was routed Palmietfontein–Nairobi–Khartoum–Cairo–Castel Benito–Hurn Bournemouth. A weekly service was initially flown, but this later increased to 6 times weekly due to high passenger demand. The Douglas DC-4 Skymaster debuted with SAA in May 1946 between Johannesburg and Cape Town, which coincided with
4088-587: The official name of the country at that time: the Union of South Africa . The company was financed by the Atlantic Refining Company , and supported by a small government subsidy. Its headquarters were initially at Fairview in Port Elizabeth , but they later moved to Stamford Hill in Durban . The corporate colours were red and yellow, and the logo was a shield depicting a stylised aircraft. Union Airways
4161-404: The other two, part of an unfulfilled Philippine Airlines order, had General Electric CF6-80C2B5Fs . Winglets , structural changes and fuel-efficient engines enabled these aircraft to fly non-stop from South Africa to the east coast of the United States. The arrival of Boeing's newest jumbo jet perhaps overshadowed the acquisition by SAA of the world's first commercial fly-by-wire airliner,
4234-457: The refusal of many countries to allow SAA to use their airspace by exploiting its long-range capabilities, as well as to serve lower-density routes which were unsuited to the 747-200. Six were delivered starting 19 March 1976. As above, to demonstrate the 747SP's performance, the first one was delivered from Seattle to Cape Town non-stop, an airliner distance record that stood until 1989. The first 747SP arrived in South Africa on 19 March 1976. As
4307-453: The rest from other parties. The 737s were to be deployed on short-haul routes, replacing Airbus A300s and A320s. The 737 order was followed by an Airbus order in 2002. Under CEO Andre Viljoen, South African Airways requested Airbus to overhaul its fleet at a cost of US$ 3.5 billion in March 2002, taking advantage of a slump in the order books of both Boeing and Airbus. The airline industry
4380-461: The route from Johannesburg was flown via Nairobi, Khartoum and Rome. The Constellation's higher speed and longer range enabled fewer stops and greatly reduced the flying time to London. The jet age arrived in South Africa on 3 May 1952 when a BOAC de Havilland Comet arrived in Palmietfontein after a 24-hour journey from England with five refuelling stops en route. SAA chartered two Comets from
4453-527: The separation of South African Airways and its parent company Transnet. The deadline was moved from 2005 to 31 March 2006. SAA joined Star Alliance on 10 April 2006, becoming the first African airline to join Star Alliance. To celebrate the occasion, and as a condition of entry, one Airbus A340-600 (registration ZS-SNC) and one Boeing 737-800 (registration ZS-SJV) were repainted in Star Alliance livery. South African Airways fulfilled 53 requirements during
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#17328848886914526-470: The start of World War II, SAA carried 118,822 passengers, 3,278 tonnes of airmail and 248 tonnes of cargo, which were served by 418 employees. On 24 May 1940, all operations were suspended. Following World War II, frequencies were increased and more routes were opened, which necessitated the conversion of three South African Air Force Envoys to passenger layout. These aircraft would prove to be unsuitable for passenger and cargo services and were returned to
4599-496: The state-owned parent company , to remedy the problem of dwindling passengers, which Transnet's market research had revealed was caused by "failure to fly on time, unfriendly and minimally-trained staff, poor food and SAA fares being 12–25% above its competitors". He was credited with rescuing World Airways from the brink of bankruptcy earlier in the decade. During his first 18 months as CEO, South African Airways' market value increased fivefold. In June 1999, Transnet entered into
4672-421: The trip took 11 days. Union Airways was not profitable during its operations. Junkers South Africa Pty (Ltd) who owned and operated South West African Airways, bought a substantial share in Union Airways. An all-metal Junkers F13 was chartered from SWA Airways and was soon operating in place of the wrecked Fokker. More Junkers aircraft followed in the form of F13 and W34 aircraft and later a Junkers A50 also joined
4745-456: Was appointed as CEO of SAA. A new chairman, Professor Jakes Gerwel , was appointed in the same month. In 2005, SAA became the first non-Saudi airline to fly a direct Hadj service to Medina in Saudi Arabia. In July 2005, SAA started a four times weekly Johannesburg - Accra -Washington, D.C. service with a Boeing 747-400. Service was increased to daily flights in July 2006, and the 747-400
4818-468: Was collected from the Union Castle steamships from Britain that docked at Cape Town harbour on Monday mornings and flown to Port Elizabeth by a single Gypsy Moth. At Port Elizabeth two more Gipsy Moths were waiting to continue the service, one to fly mail to Bloemfontein and Johannesburg and the other to East London and Durban. On 29 August the first return service was operated, reaching Cape Town in time for
4891-472: Was dropped altogether); the axing of 30% of the airline's managers; among other reductions. This was expected to save the airline R2.7 billion (US$ 378.2 million). By June 2009, R2.5 billion had been saved. Two retired 747-400s were reactivated in 2008 for flights to Lagos , and by 2010 Luanda as well. Flag carrier A flag carrier is a transport company, such as an airline or shipping company, that, being locally registered in
4964-470: Was founded after the restoration of the CASA 352L. Since then, many aircraft have joined SAA Museum Society's collection relating to South African aviation. South African Airways was formed on 1 February 1934 following the acquisition of Union Airways by the South African government . Forty staff members, along with one de Havilland DH.60 Gypsy Moth , one de Havilland DH.80A Puss Moth , three Junkers F.13s and
5037-679: Was primarily a mail carrier, but from September 1929 it also transported passengers. The fleet originally consisted of five DH60 Gipsy Moths . A Fokker Super Universal and two DH Puss Moths were added in 1930, but all three crashed during 1931, two of the crashes being fatal. To replace them, Union Airways acquired some Junkers from South West African Airways , which was owned by the Junkers corporation in Germany. In 1932, UA and SWAA amalgamated, although they continued to operate under their individual names. Later that year, Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw celebrated his seventy-fifth birthday with
5110-524: Was replaced by an Airbus A340-600. Because SAA could not obtain rights to fly passengers between Ghana and the US, Dakar replaced Accra as the intermediate stop. In 2010, SAA retired the last of its 747-400 fleet. On 6 June 2006, the codeshare agreement between South African Airways and Delta Air Lines was terminated because of the airlines' memberships in rival alliances ( Star Alliance and SkyTeam respectively). The South African government's plans called for
5183-612: Was still staggering after the September 11 attacks in the US, which led to new aircraft orders either being deferred, or cancelled altogether. SAA was in a buyers' market and the demise of Swissair , which had A340-600s about to be delivered, effected Airbus clinching the SAA deal. This was part of a bigger order that covered 11 A319s, 15 A320s, nine A340-600s and six A340-300s. Three of the A340-600 aircraft came from International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC). The new Airbus A319s replaced
5256-455: Was transferred to Kano , Nigeria, resulting in a shortened flying of 18 hours. The fortnightly Wallaby Route , routed Johannesburg –Mauritius– Cocos Islands – Perth , Australia, started in November 1957. After a host of accidents involving SAA's and other airlines' Comets, the airline ordered three Boeing 707-320 Intercontinentals on 21 February 1958, with the first delivered on 1 July 1960. Three months after arrival, on 1 October 1960,
5329-429: Was via Tel Aviv , which doubled the distance and flying time involved. European airlines were allowed to fly over Africa when flying to South Africa, usually via Nairobi and later nonstop. On 26 December 1980, the last South African Airways Boeing 707 service was operated between Paris and Johannesburg. Its touchdown ended the 20-year career of the 707. The quadjet was replaced by the world's first wide-body twinjet,
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