South Africa: South African Airways reduces some African routes

Event

South African Airways (SAA) has announced it will cut service on some routes from Johannesburg to the Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Gabon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and Benin. Officials announced that ticketed passengers will be accommodated, with alternative itineraries to be issued no later than Tuesday, October 17.

The route changes are as follows, effective September 25:

• Flight SA084, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) to Republic of Congo's Pointe Noir-Antonio Agostinho Neto International Airport (PNR) and Brazzaville's Maya-Maya International Airport (BZV) will operate on Fridays only.

Effective October 9:

• Flight SA086, JNB to Gabon's Leon M'ba International Airport (LBV) in Libreville and Cameroon's Douala International Airport (DLA) will operate on Fridays only;

• Flight SA050, JNB to Democratic Republic of Congo's N'djili International Airport (FIH) in Kinshasa will operate Sundays and Thursdays only;

• Flight SA160, JNB to Uganda's Entebbe International Airport (EBB) will operate on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays only;

• Flight SA054, JNB to Angola's Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport (LAD) in Luanda will operate on Sundays, Tuesday, and Saturdays only.

Effective November 1:

• Flight SA090, JNB to LBV and Benin's Cadjehoun International Airport (COO) in Cotonou will operate on Mondays and Saturdays only. Context

Context

SAA is currently experiencing severe financial difficulties; in 2017, several lenders refused to extend lines of credit to the company. The firm is wholly owned by the South African government. The move comes as the airline embarks on a five-year plan to return to profitability.

Advice

Travelers should contact SAA for further information.