Airlines South African Airlines to reduce domestic operations

In September 2017, the airline announced a Five-year turnaround plan to improve their commercial sustainability and business in general. This rationalisation programme contained the relocation of the airlines´ focus on international flights and to operate the domestic flights with Mango Airlines.

Currently, both SAA and Mango offer 278 weekly return flights between Johannesburg and Cape Town, as well as over 200 return flights between Johannesburg and Durban. Once fully implemented, Mango will – per week – operate 116 flights between Johannesburg and Cape town and 132 on the Johannesburg – Durban route. Still, South African will operate 230 return flights on these routes.

Passengers are able to choose between both airlines and can reebok flights on SAA flights without extra charge. The revised schedule is effective since January 15, 2018.

SAA CEO, Vuyani Jarana said: “We have reviewed our offerings informed by performance, demand and market conditions. We are satisfied that the changes we introduce will be of mutual benefit to our customers and to the SAA Group. A commercially strong SAA Group offers customers improved efficiencies and schedule integrity.”

Nic Vlok, Mango’s Acting CEO added: “These changes are a Group effort and demonstrate our commitment to strengthen the Group commercially.  Mango remains committed to service excellence and our brand values of innovation, operational efficiency and excellence in customer service.”

Mango will operate their flights with Boeing 737-800s. Furthermore, SAA plans to end operating Airbus A340-600 on Johannesburg – Cape Town.