SAA revises UAE Operations

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South African Airways has officially taken a decision to cease operating between Johannesburg and Abu Dhabi from 1 March, following efforts to make the route sustainable.

Since 29 October 2015, SAA has implemented ad hoc cancellations on the route in order to meet the different demand patterns. An application in terms of section 54 of the Public Finance Management Act was approved by the shareholder this year, authorising SAA to exit the route.

“SAA considered capacity adjustment on this route to strike a balance between the interests of our customers by providing a service, albeit a limited one, and to avoid increased operating costs associated with a daily service. The anticipated high demand simply did not materialise,” said Musa Zwane, SAA Acting CEO.

 The airline will also discontinue the codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways, due to route network rationalisation.