SAA expands African network

SAA will strengthen its
West African network,
launching a second
flight to Nigeria in January.
The airline is also considering
a direct flight to Kilimanjaro,
Tanzania.
Starting January 26, the
airline will offer thrice-weekly
flights to Abuja. Flights are
now open for sale.
“Nigeria is one of the fastest
growing air travel markets in
sub-Saharan Africa. Introducing
Abuja as a second entry
point in Nigeria will add more
travel options, especially for
the business community,”
says Sylvain Bosc, SAA chief
commercial officer.
The addition of Abuja to
SAA’s network follows closely
on the introduction of the
Accra, Ghana, to Washington
Dulles, US route in August.
“The introduction of the
Accra to Washington route
has seen a steady growth
and has performed in line
with expectations. This
has provided SAA with the
confidence to invest further
and enhance its footprint in
West Africa,” Sylvain said.
SAA is also considering
expanding flights to East
Africa. Hassan Hirji, SAA’s
sales and marketing manager
in Dar es Salaam, told
media on a recent trip to
Tanzania that the airline was
considering launching a direct
flight from South Africa to
Kilimanjaro.
Speaking exclusively to TNW
the following day, SAA regional
manager for East Africa and
the Middle East, Austin
Nyawara, said the Kilimanjaro
route had been “in the works
for a while”. He said SAA
was looking at the viability
of launching the route. “We
have to factor in that we would
be flying to two points in the
same country. So we will have
to play around with the idea
and plan it in such a way that
we can still make it profitable,”
he said.
SAA subsidiary, Mango,
also said it was considering
launching services to
Kilimanjaro (see TNW
September 30), following the
success of its Zanzibar
flights.