Cash-strapped South African Airways has turned to Emirates in a bid to turn around its dire financial situation.
I’ve written about South African Airways several times, but stopped recently because I was just writing the same thing, over and over. Another debt deadline, another bailout. The carrier continues to hemorrhage cash and post massive losses. As 2018 draws to a close, it has been eight years since SAA posted a profit. While the carrier hopes to “return to profit” by 2021, without major structural changes the status quo will continue.
Enter Emirates, who has agreed to expand its codeshare relationship with South African Airways. Per Reueters, the “agreement would see the two airlines leverage each other’s route networks, cargo services and flight schedules to boost passenger flows.”
SAA Chief Executive Vuyani Jarana told Gulf News:
It will enable us to explore and leverage synergies between ourselves in a much more enhanced relationship of mutual benefit. Our route network and that of Emirates complement one another. The expansion of our partnership will further strengthen key focus areas of the implementation of our turnaround plan.
What will that entail specifically? All we know thus far is that the two carriers will work on connectivity in Johannesburg to reduce minimum connect times and encourage a more seamless transfer experience.
CONCLUSION
I will give South African Airways credit for recognizing it cannot compete directly with Emirates. By working with Emirates, to funnel more longhaul traffic on Emirates and regional traffic on SAA, South African Airways may find its best chances for survival. Shedding the longhaul routes and focusing on more profitable regional flying may be the only answer. Emirates can aid in that goal.
> Read More: A New Bailout For South African Airways Only Delays The Inevitable
They should do the same thing with United which could take over flights from the US.
One thing in the partnerships favour is that the intl to domestic connection experience at Joburg, especially when checking bags into SAA flights, is a very seamless experience. It is not “stereotypically African” as one might suspect. Usually I can go From wheels down on the intl flight to the departing gate (if it is close to security or the bus gates) in 40 minutes flat – and that includes rechecking bags
Wrong idea from gethco GOVERNMENT of south Africa hand out money to ill liner besides some monster eat already pia,air India and more
Maybe the SA government could expropriate white owned planes without compensation? That’s the ticket!
SIMPLE – The attitude of the SA cabin crews MUST change. They are too noisy. Over the last 12 months I have traveled with them to US & BRAZIL but their attitude towards service leaves much to be desired.
Secondly, the economy class cabins need refurbishnent & leg room improvement.
As a Zambian I would like them to introduce an evening flight from JHB via Lusaka to London.
I cant agree with you as far as cabin crews are concerned. We always fly SAA between Jhb and NEw York and have always been happy with the service we received
SAA’s only option is to shrink to greatness. They lose money on most long haul flights. They should abandon their long haul network entirely and focus on becoming a smaller, leaner regional airline. Leave the US to Delta (and perhaps United), Aus to Qantas, HK to CX, Sao Paolo to Latam, etc.