SAA steps up Africa capacity

ON the eve of the launch of its Gabon services (to Libreville), SAA has announced it is increasing its capacity on 10 of its Africa routes. Rushj Lehutso, SAA’s gm commercial, told a press briefing in Johannesburg yesterday that the airline’s restructuring was not just about cost-cutting, but also contained the element of growth. Capacity on its east Africa routes will be increased by an average of 24% by the use of larger aircraft, Mauritius by 5%, Malawi by 22%, Windhoek by 6%, Luanda by 12% and Kinshasa by 15%. SAA will fly four times weekly to Libreville, capital of the oil-rich west African state of Gabon with effect from today. Kate Nathan (katen@nowmedia.co.za)