Johannesburg, South Africa – South African Airways (SAA) is adding to its already extensive African flight schedule to offer customers more travel options on the continent. The most recent change is an increase in the flights from Johannesburg–Lagos route, where the airline will offer eight (8) frequencies per week, effective 2 September Johannesburg – Lagos and effective 3 September Lagos – Johannesburg. “All flights will be operated with a long-haul Airbus aircraft offering lie-flat seats in Business Class, which we anticipate will be welcomed by our Business Class travellers, as we have seen a tremendous growth in demand for premium travel in Africa,” says Kendy Phohleli, SAA General Manager Commercial (Acting). The new schedule will provide greater/additional connectivity to the SAA network and accommodate the current passenger and cargo demand that SAA is experiencing on the route. Additionally, it will offer seamless travel for passengers en-route to Perth (Australia), Hong Kong and mainland China.              

The new flight on Tuesdays, SA080, will depart Johannesburg at 23h00 to arrive in Lagos at 04h15 the following day. Arrival is 04h25 in summer and 04h15 winter (Northern Season). SA081 returns on Wednesdays from Lagos departing at 08h00, to arrive back in Johannesburg at 14h55. Arrival is 14h45 in summer and 14h55 winter (Northern Season). “The increase on the Lagos route follows on previous increases to the airline’s Africa route network, in keeping with SAA’s Gaining Altitude strategy, where the focus is on strengthening our presence in Africa,” says Phohleli. Africa routes on which frequencies were recently increased include: Johannesburg – Harare (from 18 to19 per week); Johannesburg – Lusaka (from 20 to 21); Johannesburg - Abidjan (from two to three per week); Johannesburg – Blantyre (from two to three per week); Johannesburg - Dar es Salaam (from 13 to 14 per week); Johannesburg - Kinshasa (from four to six per week); Johannesburg - Nairobi (from 10 to 11 per week); Johannesburg - Ndola (from three to four per week); Johannesburg - Windhoek (from 20 to 21 per week). SAA has also made changes to its international route network, where frequencies on the route between Johannesburg and Mumbai have been reduced by one per week to six weekly frequencies, (effective from 1 July 2014). SAA will, however, offer the same number of seats as a bigger aircraft will be used on the Mumbai route. “The Tuesday Mumbai departure will no longer be operated as this flight historically shows low demand, which is a change also aligned with SAA’s Gaining Altitude strategy, where frequencies on low-performing routes are adjusted in line with our key strategic objective to achieve, and maintain, commercial sustainability, while supporting South Africa’s development agenda,” says Phohleli.

For more information contact:

Tlali Tlali (Mr)
SAA spokesperson
Mob: +27 82 333 3880
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