The management of South African Airways (SAA) has announced the re-opening of its Johannesburg (South Africa) – Perth (Australia) route, with ticket sales commencing on January 8, prior to the maiden flight scheduled for April 28, 2024.
Commenting on the travel possibilities provided by this latest development, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SAA, Prof. John Lamola divulged that Perth has long been a favoured destination for South African and Australian travelers, with the route presenting a huge potential for global interconnectivity. He added that approximately 80% of the airline’s target market is made up of those traveling to spend time with family and friends.
Pursuant to the CEO, “SAA’s operations to Perth are in line with the airline’s strategic plans to scale its operations to a profitable level by leveraging SAA’s unique capabilities as a national carrier via the use of its wide-body aircraft that can provide long-haul intercontinental air connectivity.”
According to Business News Australia, Perth Airport’s Chief Commercial and Aviation Officer, Kate Holsgrove revealed that the non-stop flights will operate three times a week on SAA’s A340-300 aircraft, delivering 78,936 seats to the Perth market.
She further disclosed that after three years of no operations on this route due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Perth airport authorities look forward to working closely with SAA to rebuild back to a daily service.
The Perth route is now the second inter-oceanic route SAA has opened within six months, after the announcement of Sao Paulo, Brazil on October 31, 2023.
