South African Airways reinstates long-distance service, adds service to Brazil

In late 2019, South African Airways (SAA), plagued by years of financial losses even before the onset of the pandemic, made the decision to enter into business rescue. In a drastic move, the airline made the decision to eliminate significant amounts of its aircraft fleet, resulting in the complete halt of all flights for the entirety of 2020.

However, the airline’s journey towards financial stability has been a mixed one. Despite undergoing business rescue, the airline’s recovery has been only partial, leaving room for further improvement.

Since then, One Mile At A Time reports that the airline has been gradually resuming its regional route network using a reduced fleet of aircraft. The national airline of South Africa is currently making plans to begin long-distance service.

The first transcontinental route confirmed by South African Airways in years will begin service in the last quarter of 2023, offering direct flights between Cape Town (CPT) and Johannesburg (JNB) to São Paulo (GRU). There will be four trips per week to Brazil offered by the airline.

On October 31, nonstop flights between Cape Town and São Paulo will begin, and on November 6, flights from Johannesburg to Sao Paulo will do the same.

According to John Lamola, CEO of the company, after conducting an in-depth analysis of the potential of the route, São Paulo was selected as the destination.

“Sustainability has been at the heart of SAA’s approach since our restart,” Lamola explained, according to Travel Weekly.

Evie Blanco is a journalist with nearly a decade of experience born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Queens, New York. She is extremely well-versed in hip-hop music and culture and is always aware of its developments. Whether it’s the latest in pop culture, a fascinating foreign destination, a truly amazing new restaurant, or breaking news, she loves to write about it all. Evie can be reached at evieblanco@detourxp.com.