City not affected by SAA’S consolidation plan

FLIGHTS to and from Kimberley have not yet been affected by South African Airways’ decision to consolidate selected domestic flights.

In a statement issued yesterday, SAA spokesperson Tlali Tlali said that flights affected were between the airline’s main hub, Oliver Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) and Cape Town, as well as between Johannesburg and Durban’s King Shaka airport.

“SAA is working closely with its sister airline, Mango, to re-accommodate passengers on alternative services operated by both airlines to minimise disruption, and thereby ensure passengers reach their destination as quickly as possible.”

On the international network, SAA is cancelling selected services between Johannesburg and Munich.

SAA will re-accommodate passengers on its services between Johannesburg and Frankfurt as well as London Heathrow. Some passengers travelling to Munich, and others travelling via Munich to other destinations, will be re-accommodated for some of their journey on partner airlines in the Star Alliance to minimise delays.

“These decisions are in line with SAA’S usual policy of reviewing flights and consolidating services with low demand. Furthermore, during the current process of Business Rescue, these cancellations represent a responsible strategy to conserve cash and optimise the airline’s position ahead of any further capital investment,” Tlali said.

He pointed out further that the consolidation on the Cape Town route was also necessary as SAA has been operating training flights for pilots on the new state-of-theart Airbus 350-900 aircraft on this route, before transferring the new planes to international routes.

The introduction of these larger aircraft has resulted in temporary surplus capacity on the route.

“SAA will be reviewing further possible flight schedule amendments over the coming days.

Any operational changes will be communicated to our travel trade partners and customers at the earliest opportunity and passengers will be re-accommodated on other airlines wherever possible.”