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South African Airways (SAA) is the flag carrier of South Africa and one of Africa’s most prominent airlines, with a rich history dating back to its founding in 1934. Headquartered at Airways Park, Jones Road, O.R. Tambo International Airport, Kempton Park, Johannesburg, SAA operates as a state-owned enterprise under the South African government. Its mission is to deliver commercially sustainable, world-class air passenger and cargo aviation services within South Africa, across the African continent, and to global tourism and trading partners, while supporting the nation’s developmental agenda through excellent customer service, efficient operations, and performance excellence.
SAA was established on February 1, 1934, following the South African government’s acquisition of Union Airways, a private airline founded in 1929. The airline was rebranded as South African Airways and began operations with a modest fleet, including three Junkers Ju 52 aircraft, each capable of carrying 14 passengers. These aircraft proved the reliability, speed, and safety of air travel, helping SAA establish itself as a trusted carrier. By July 1934, SAA had moved its operations to Rand Airport in Johannesburg, which became the hub for air travel in South Africa. The airline expanded rapidly, launching its first regional service to Lusaka in June 1934, with stops in Pietersburg, Bulawayo, and Livingstone.
Throughout its history, SAA has navigated significant challenges and milestones. During the apartheid era, the airline faced international scrutiny, including allegations in 1992 of carrying cargo for Armscor, a South African arms manufacturer, to circumvent a UN arms embargo. A tragic event in SAA’s history occurred on November 28, 1987, when Flight 295, a Boeing 747-200 Combi, crashed into the Indian Ocean due to an in-flight fire, possibly caused by ammonium perchlorate cargo, killing all 159 people on board. The end of apartheid in 1990 allowed SAA to expand services to new destinations in Africa and Asia, marking a period of growth.
In 1996, SAA celebrated South Africa’s transition to a democratic “rainbow nation” by painting one of its Boeing 747-300s, named Ndizani (registration ZS-SAJ), in vibrant colors to transport South African athletes to the Atlanta Summer Olympics. This aircraft carried Josiah Thugwane, the first Black South African to win an Olympic gold medal. The airline also formed strategic alliances with SA Airlink and SA Express and introduced online ticket sales during this period.
SAA operates from its primary hub at O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, with focus cities at Cape Town International Airport (CPT) and King Shaka International Airport (DUR). The airline serves over 40 destinations, including domestic routes to Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, and international routes across Africa (e.g., Accra, Kinshasa, Harare, Lusaka, Lagos, Mauritius), as well as to North America, South America, Asia, Australia, and Europe. As a member of the Star Alliance since April 10, 2006—the first African airline to join—SAA benefits from a global network, including codeshare agreements with 17 non-alliance airlines. Its fleet, consisting of approximately 50 Airbus and Boeing jets, is configured with Business and Economy Class cabins.
SAA’s wholly-owned subsidiaries include SAA Technical (SAAT), a world-class maintenance facility offering airframe checks, engine overhauls, and avionics maintenance; Air Chefs, the airline’s catering entity; and South African Travel Centre (SATC). Until 2021, Mango, a low-cost carrier, was also a subsidiary but entered business rescue and is no longer part of the SAA Group.