South African Airways Strengthens Its Popular Perth Route With The Addition Of Two Aircraft To Its Fleet.

“This is a significant milestone, especially considering that just over three years ago, the airline emerged from business rescue with only six aircraft,” said South African Airways interim CEO, Professor John Lamola.

“Since 2021, our team has worked strategically to grow the fleet and route network sustainably. These

new aircraft will help SAA fulfil our commitment to increasing seat capacity in both the domestic and regional markets, contributing to more affordable passenger air travel.”

South African Airways has recently increased its intercontinental flights to and from Perth, a popular route due to its large South African-born population, along with key African destinations and Mauritius. The airline has taken delivery of two leased narrow-body Airbus A320s from Ireland-based AerCap, strengthening its fleet and recovery after emerging from business rescue with just six aircraft three years ago.

The two A320s, featuring South African Airways-branded livery, signify the airline’s growing relationship with AerCap and the recovery of its credit status with major international aviation finance institutions. South African Airways plans to add five more aircraft to its fleet in 2025, despite challenges in the global aviation industry, such as the post-COVID supply chain crisis that has led to delays and increased costs for new and second-hand aircraft.

SAA’s fleet now includes wide-body A330s and long-range A343s, which are ideal for its intercontinental routes, including the relaunch of Johannesburg to Sao Paulo and Perth, and Cape Town to Sao Paulo. The airline is also entering a phase of consolidation, increasing flight frequencies to existing destinations to better serve both leisure and business travellers.

For those travelling to Perth, the city offers a variety of long-stay apartment options, providing comfortable and convenient accommodations for both business and leisure travellers looking to settle in for extended periods. These serviced apartments cater to various needs, offering flexibility and ease for anyone visiting for work or exploring the vibrant city.

Recent additions to the network include the launch of flights between Dar es Salaam and Johannesburg, as well as increased frequencies to Harare (Zimbabwe) and Lusaka (Zambia). Flights to Lagos (Nigeria) and Accra (Ghana) have been raised from three to four times per week, while SAA now offers five weekly flights to Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo) and added a new route to Lubumbashi in November 2024.