Travellers are advised to take note as up to 19 domestic and international South African Airways flights have been cancelled.
According to Traveller24, the flights were removed as SAA struggles with operational challenges. The airline is currently working with National Treasury to raise enough funds to keep them afloat. In December, SAA entered into business rescue in an effort to find a solution to their company’s well-documented financial challenges.
Travel Advisory
South African Airways (SAA) has cancelled a number of their domestic and international flights. We are in the process of contacting our customers to advise and assist. Should you be affected and wish to discuss your options, please contact your Travel Expert. pic.twitter.com/hAW8NN8FsY— FlightCentreZA (@FlightCentreRSA) January 20, 2020
In a press release, Flight Centre said, “Flight Centre Travel Group notes South African Airways’ cancellation of certain domestic and international flights on 21 January 2020. Our customers remain our top priority and we have been working through the night to advise, assist and re-accommodate any affected passengers where possible. The Group is currently monitoring the situation, while awaiting official confirmation from SAA with regards to its flight situation. We urge affected customers to contact their Flight Centre Travel Expert for details and assistance.”
“In November 2019, Flight Centre Travel Group took the decision to no longer sell South African Airways. This followed confirmation by our preferred Travel Insurance Provider and underwriters that they were no longer willing to cover SAA under their Travel Supplier Insolvency benefit due to doubts concerning the long-term viability of the airline.”
“We will continue to advise our customers on the situation as more details arise.”
SAA have just released a statement explaining that they are working on consolidating select domestic and international flights with their sister airline, Mango.
“SAA is working closely with its sister airline, Mango, to re-accommodate passengers on alternative services operated by both airlines to minimise disruption, and thereby ensure passengers reach their destination as quickly as possible.”
“These decisions are in line with SAA’s usual policy of reviewing flights and consolidating services with low demand. Furthermore, during the current process of Business Rescue, these cancellations represent a responsible strategy to conserve cash and optimise the airline’s position ahead of any further capital investment. The consolidation on the Cape Town route is also necessary as SAA has been operating training flights for pilots on the new state-of-the-art Airbus 350-900 aircraft on this route, before transferring the new planes to international routes. The introduction of these larger aircraft has resulted in temporary surplus capacity on the route.”
“SAA will be reviewing further possible flight schedule amendments over the coming days. Any operational changes will be communicated to our travel trade partners and customers at the earliest opportunity and passengers will be re-accommodated on other airlines wherever possible.”
For information on all the flights cancelled, click HERE.
Picture: Pexels