Where have SAA regional flights gone?

CONCERNED members
of the travel trade
have brought to TNW’s
attention what appear to be
unannounced flight cuts and
schedule changes to SAA’s
regional routes. These changes
are reflecting in GDS systems
from around April.
Inventory loaded on the
GDS suggests SAA is cutting
its Brazzaville, Douala and
Cotonou routes entirely. The
carrier is also reducing flights
to Luanda from four to two
weekly flights.
At the same time, the airline
is increasing the Entebbe
schedule from three to six
flights per week and increasing
Kinshasa’s weekly schedule
from two flights per week to
five.
While Tlali Tlali, SAA hod:
media relations, would not
comment on the specific
changes referred to above, he
had this to say: “As and when
there are changes on the
network or flight schedules, it
is important that our channels
and platforms reflect such
changes. These changes can
be caused by a number of
factors within and outside the
control or influence of airlines.
Some changes are tactical
and short-term while others
are strategic and long-term...
Our future roadmap will be
announced in the near future
once our new corporate plan
has been approved.”