Business News: SAA Announces Ticket Sales, Set to Take Flight in September
- Processes have been implemented to ensure the reopening of South African Airways (SAA) by 23 September, 2021, according to a statement issued on Wednesday
- The start of the relaunch will consist solely of flights only from Johannesburg to Cape Town, Accra, Kinshasa, Harare, Lusaka and Maputo with additional routes being implemented over time
- South African airlines had grounded flights in March 2020 on account of the negative impact of Covid-19 on the economy and aviation industry
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A statement issued on Wednesday stated that the recently grounded South African Airways (SAA) are strategically returning to their original operations from 23 September 2021.
The initial phase of SAA’s return will initially see flights only from Johannesburg to Cape Town, Accra, Kinshasa, Harare, Lusaka and Maputo whilst additional flight routes will be added based on the market demand and conditions.
Source: Getty Images
SAA had ceased operations in March 2020, due to the financial strain placed on the aviation industry as a consequence of Covid-19 and the countries initial lockdown that essentially shut down the entire aviation industry.
According to Moneyweb, the consequences of both international and local flights being unpermitted to operate saw, all major local airlines and the majority of international airlines grounding flights.
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Following reports by News24 tickets will be available to the public for purchase on 26 August 2021 whist consumers can utilize Voyager bookings and Travel Credit Voucher redemption from the 6 September 2021.
Mango Airlines employees say they have received pay cuts, company under business rescue
Previously, Briefly News reported that with Mango Airlines now under business rescue, some of the employees have come out to speak about their current struggles working for the airline.
According to a report by EWN, Mango employees are barely surviving financially, stating that they have not received their full salary since May. Some employees also stated that before May, they had been given pay cuts.
A woman who says she's worked for Mango Airlines for five years says her financial situation has become dire. She has had to move in with her 90-year-old grandparents. She stated that she can longer afford medical aid and life insurance policies and has lost her house.
SAA skeletons come to light during acquisitions
In other airline news, Briefly News reported that issues have come to light due to the sale between South African Airways (SAA) and the Takatso Consortium, which is seeking a 51% share in the embattled airline.
31 March, 2017 marks the last time SAA audited financials for the end of the year. The Auditor-General failed to complete any audits during the business rescue process. Draft financial statements for the years 2018 and 2019 were sent to Parliament in 2020 by the BRPs.
At the Scopa meeting held on 25 March, it was obvious that the financial statements for the end of 2020 were not complete despite the 2021 financials being due.
The due diligence between SAA and Takatso still needs to be implemented and run. SAA’s intangible assets, such as the Star Alliance and its brand, could hold some weight in terms of value while the route, flight and staffing plan will be decided.
Source: Briefly News
