South Africa bookings are back in action

Direct flights between South Africa and Australia have resumed for the first time since the pandemic, with the Airbus A340-300 landing in Perth Airport yesterday.

Flight SA280 touched down in Perth shortly before 1pm local time on Monday aboard the A340-300 ZS-SXF, after a four-year absence by SAA from WA skies.

The route will initially operate three times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays using 253-seater A340-300 aircraft, with Perth Airport hoping for an eventual daily service.

The South African Airways flights will connect 40,000 passengers per year in each direction, between Perth and Johannesburg.

Flight Centre Corporate Global COO Melissa Elf said South Africa was an important economic contributor to Australia, particularly in the mining, oil, and gas sector.

“We’ve seen an eight per cent uplift in demand from our corporate travellers moving between Australia and South Africa in the first quarter of this year, compared to the first quarter of last year,” Elf said.

Almost half of that travel is related to the mining, oil, and gas sector, and we see large demand across Arts, Entertainment, Recreation, Construction and Education industries.

“The rate of air capacity compared to before the pandemic has been among Australia’s lowest across all international routes, sitting at 37 per cent prior to these South African Airways flights recommencing,” Elf said.

“From this weekend, we’ll see that jump up to 61 per cent of pre-pandemic capacity, and we’re anticipating it to hit around 90 per cent by the end of the year.

“This is already having a positive impact on the cost of fares, which were down by 11 per cent last quarter, compared to the first quarter of 2023.

“We’re expecting to see this trend continue in the coming months as travellers see new options enter the market,” Elf said.

Perth Airport has had remarkable partnership with SAA, which has spanned 67 years, said Perth Airport CEO Jason Waters.

“We are incredibly pleased to have them flying to and from our port again,” he said. “The service will initially operate three times per week, delivering 78,936 seats to the Perth market, and we look forward to working closely with South African Airways to return this to a daily service.

“There are a high number of South African ex-pats living in Perth and across WA, so the airline’s return is great news for those with family connections in South Africa as well as those looking to explore all that South Africa has to offer.”

Touchdown. The SAA flight is welcomed at Perth Airport. (Source: Perth Airport)

Officials welcome SAA flights back to Perth after a four-year absence. (Source: Perth Airport)

Professor John Lamola, CEO of South African Airways, said the Perth route – SAA’s second international service relaunched after the pandemic, following São Paulo – is a “significant milestone” in the airline’s recovery.

“This is an important route for both SAA and South Africa. Perth has long been a favoured destination for South African travellers. Approximately 80 per cent of our target market travel there regularly to visit family and friends,” he said.

South African Airways Head of Communications Vimla Maistry said Australia, in general, and Western Australia in particular, was an important market for leisure and business tourist arrivals to South Africa.
“Australians are a valuable source of foreign direct spend in our economy, contributing to both direct and indirect South African employment through tourism,” Ms Maistry said.
“Additionally, Mining is a significant economic driver of both economies. The route was introduced to service this economic sector.”
WA Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti said the non-stop service operated by South African Airways represents a significant milestone in the state’s aviation recovery.
“We’re really excited this service between Johannesburg and Perth has been reinstated, which brings massive advantages for our State’s tourism industry and of course, marks the 19th international destination we have secured direct links to since the pandemic.
“The resumption of this flight is welcome news for South African expats and their visiting friends and relatives, as well as for those travelling to WA for major events, such as the Springbok fans, who now have a direct connection ahead of the Rugby Championship match in August at Optus Stadium.”

Touchdown. The SAA flight is welcomed at Perth Airport. (Source: Perth Airport)

(Featured image: Flight SA280 touched down in Perth shortly before 1pm local time on Monday)

South African Film Festival

In other local South African news the South Australian Film Festival is set to bring the very best of South African films to cinemas across Australia and New Zealand and in the home via online streaming.
The festival will offer features, documentaries and short films that explore the rich culture, history, and politics of South Africa. It will be available online and on demand from May 10-30.

Pullman Cape Town tech tip

In tech, travel agents can now easily book stays at Pullman Cape Town through their preferred GDS.
The hotel, located in Cape Town’s CBD, has made its inventory accessible across all GDS channels, using the chain code ‘PU’.
Specific channel codes for each system are as follows: Amadeus (CPT175); Sabre (311339); Worldspan (3005); Apollo/Galileo (D0988).
Corporate clients can access negotiated rates by applying their Rate Access Code within the GDS.

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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