Despite speculation in Times Live that South African Airways may drop its local and short-haul, ‘full-service’ flights, eTNW reports that SAA will not leave its domestic services to low-cost subsidiary Mango.
“The SAA Group, which comprises SAA and Mango as well as airlines like SAX and Airlink that carry the SAA code, will continue to service all South African network points optimally and efficiently,” said Tlali Tlali, spokesperson for SAA.
As part of its 90-Day Action Plan, SAA is looking at rebalancing the assignment of its aircraft to ensure optimum capacity on its routes.
“Currently, SAA has 60% of its aircraft assigned to the domestic market, whereas it has less than 30% assigned to its African routes,” said Nico Bezuidenhout, SAA acting CEO. “Yet it is clear that there is greater demand and higher margins in the African market, where SAA is seeing the highest growth from a low base.”