South African Airways (SAA) recently hosted the Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce’s July 31, 2025 Breakfast Forum at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, bringing together industry professionals and enthusiasts from the aviation and finance sectors to discuss the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the future of work. At the event, themed “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work,” Mr. Ohis Ehimiaghe, SAA’s Regional Manager for Africa, Middle East, and Indian Ocean, emphasized AI’s pivotal role in revolutionizing the aviation industry
According to the SAA boss, “AI-driven virtual assistants and chatbots are transforming customer service in aviation, enabling passengers to manage bookings, boarding passes, and inquiries with ease. Personalized services powered by AI also offer tailored travel options, upgrades, and in-flight entertainment based on individual preferences”, he said.
Mr. Ehimiaghe further explained that AI is being employed in facial recognition technology to streamline check-in, boarding, and immigration processes, reducing wait times and improving the overall passenger experience. In revenue management and demand forecasting, AI-powered dynamic pricing enables airlines to adjust ticket prices in real-time based on demand, competition, and travel trends, optimizing revenue and resource allocation. He then went on to highlight the importance of acquiring AI-related skills for professionals in the aviation industry, noting that AI-savvy individuals can improve the ease of doing business at their jobs, giving them an edge over their counterparts lacking the same capabilities.
Eunice King, Vice President of Digital Transformation & Innovation at Arravo, agreed, citing data from the World Economic Forum’s 2024 work trend annual report showing that candidates with AI experience have significantly higher chances of securing jobs. “AI is automating many tasks previously performed by humans, leading to job displacement in some sectors. However, this also creates opportunities for new jobs and roles requiring different skill sets,” she noted, encouraging workers to be proactive learners who are able to adapt to new technologies to harness AI’s potential effectively.
SAA’s Country Manager, Mrs. Kemi Leke-Bamtefa, highlighted the airline’s proactive approach that empowers its partners on industry trends and developments through regular updates and insights: “We are committed to supporting and carrying our partners along as the industry continues to evolve, just as we also revolutionize our processes and adapt to changes in order to equip them with the foresight, critical information and necessary skills to sustain their businesses and empower them,” she declared.
In addition to discussing AI’s impact on aviation, Mr. Ehimiaghe provided an update on SAA’s route densification strategy, which he noted has yielded positive results. The airline recently announced new services from Cape Town to Mauritius and plans to add Maputo and Gaborone to its network in the coming weeks. SAA also intends to launch three new international routes in 2026 as part of its growth ambitions. To support its expansion plans, the carrier aims to increase its fleet to 50 aircraft over the next five (5) years, building on its current fleet of 24 aircraft that serve 17 routes across domestic, regional, and international destinations.
As the most awarded Skytrax airline in Africa, SAA has a rich history of excellence in the aviation industry, with 91 years of operation under its belt. After a brief hiatus, the carrier resumed operations in September 2021 with six (6) aircraft and six (6) routes, and has since experienced significant growth, expanding its network to include destinations such as Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, Accra, Harare, Lusaka, Lubumbashi, Windhoek, Victoria Falls, Abidjan, Lagos, Mauritius, Perth, and São Paulo. With its wholly-owned subsidiaries, SAA Technical and Air Chefs providing critical support services, including maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities and in-flight catering solutions, SAA is well-positioned for continued success in the aviation industry.
