CEO Letter

The new decade is in full swing, and all of us have rolled up our sleeves and are already immersed in making 2020 a productive year. However, none of us can ignore the bleak economic forecast that continues to affect all businesses – large and small. Our industry, in particular, is under much scrutiny as even more pressure is being exerted on government-owned airlines such as SA Express, whose validity of existence is increasingly questioned, even by non-industry experts.

SA Express plays a critical role in providing access to smaller markets, many of which were previously relatively unsafe to access due to improper infrastructure. Operations to Mthatha, for example, now provide an additional transport solution that not only helps to promote business growth but also assists in alleviating the high number of road accidents between East London and Mthatha.

Equally important is the fact that the airline also gives customers flexibility when travelling, in addition to an alternate price point. It is imperative to note that without competition on this route, flying was virtually inaccessible to the wider community due to the exorbitant airfares which are typical of markets without “competition”.

It is always good to weigh the noise and adverse commentary in the public domain with SA Express’ mandate as a strategic national asset. Our goal remains aligned with the country’s developmental objectives: SA Express provides affordable and flexible access to air transportation while growing the economy and creating jobs by stimulating secondary routes and alleviating road fatalities. This is among the myriad of other benefits the airline is able to provide.

While it is easy to make unfair and unrealistic comparisons as a case to do away with the airline, there’s so much more to be considered. There is a huge contrast between SA Express and private competitors because they are purely commercial without any of the crucial nation-building subtleties required of this airline.

It must also be considered that the decision-making structures of public institutions and private companies are like chalk and cheese. An entity such as SA Express places elaborate focus on governance, while private airlines focus solely on commerce and are perceived to be more efficient, making them better positioned for opportunities to raise private equity.

That said, all of us at SA Express remain committed and are still here to work! It is our passion for our country and our airline that has ensured that we have remained in the skies, and we are ready to continue making our mark for years to come.

Thank you for continuing to choose SA Express.

Always, Siza