South African Airways has upped frequencies to some of its key African routes.
A statement by the airline said the additional capacity fell in line with the commercial mandate of the Long-Term Turnaround Strategy and was in response to positive market growth.
As of December 1, SAA increased frequencies between Johannesburg and Maputo from 17 to 21 a week and between JNB and Harare from 18 to 19 flights a week. From December 4, flights between JNB and Kinshasa will increase from six to seven a week, and from JNB to Mauritius from nine to 10 a week.
“The strengthening of these routes comes in the wake of positive load factors and increased traffic between the countries,” says SAA acting ceo, Nico Bezuidenhout.
Presently, GDP growth in Mozambique (7%) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (8,1%) exceeds World Bank growth statistics for the continent (4,7% in 2013), while South Africa’s trade and demand for leisure and business travel to Mauritius is growing at a steady pace, according to African Development Bank. “Airlift services traditionally lead GDP in all markets and also track the rate of increased leisure travel, investment and business engagement between South Africa and its continental peers,” said Nico.
