Executives of South Africa’s travel sector gathered on Friday, February 9, at Parreirinha Restaurante in Melrose Arch for a lunch to celebrate 90 years of SAA. A number of SAA staff also attended, some of whom have been with the company for nearly three decades.
While SAA has had to overcome much adversity over the years, it is clear that the airline still has a place in the hearts of the South African travel trade.
Carla da Silva, SAA’s GM of Sales, Marketing, eCommerce & Distribution, kicked off official proceedings with a short welcome to the guests, during which she emphasised the progress the airline has made as a result of the travel trade. This was further affirmed by Tebogo Tsimane, COO of the airline.
“Without you, we have no business,” he said.
“As we reflect on this 90-year journey, despite the challenges of the recent past, we all share the pride in the significant contribution our national carrier has made in connecting South Africans, both domestically and internationally, and in standing out as the icon of Africa’s aviation industry,” said Prof. John Lamola, Interim CEO of SAA, in a personal address to guests.
