admin South African Airways (SAA) has taken delivery of the first of four new Airbus A350-900s.
“We welcome the first A350 home on South African soil. The introduction of the A350s offers a new beginning for the airline and will contribute to the airline’s operational efficiencies, and get SAA back on track. It is an important step-change as we continue to make progress to transform our business and return the airline to financial sustainability in the shortest time possible,” said Zuks Ramasia, SAA’s Acting CEO.
Minister of Finance Tito Mboweni announced in his mini budget last week that government will help SAA to repay its R9.2bn in government-guaranteed debt over the next three years.
The first aircraft arrived amidst much excitement with employees welcoming the new acquisition as the latest arrival to boost SAA’s fleet with modern, fuel-efficient aircraft, which presents a superior customer experience
The aircraft will operate on one of SAA’s ultra-long haul routes between Johannesburg and New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK), replacing the Airbus A340-600 on this route and will still be operated on a nonstop basis. As additional aircraft are introduced, more routes will be operated by the Airbus A350-900s.
According to acting SAA CEO Zuks Ramasia, the introduction of the A350s will contribute to the airline’s operational efficiencies. Operating the A350-900s will enable SAA to achieve approximately 25% savings in fuel consumption and emissions.
Besides lower operating costs, it will also reduce SAA’s exposure to South Africa’s recently imposed carbon tax, the airline said.
SAA is also expected to benefit from the approximately 40% lower cost for maintaining the A350-900 XWB airframe over a 5-year period.
The Airbus A350-900 is configured with a maximum of 339 seats, of which 30 are Business Class seats and 309 are Economy Class seats.
The aircraft will be equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.
“With this we extend our relationship with Rolls-Royce by adding the Trent XWB to a fleet that already includes the Trent 700, powering the Airbus A330s,” says Ramasia.
Fin24 reported in October that the Competition Commission granted SAA and Air Mauritius permission to form a joint venture on the route between Johannesburg and Mauritius. The two airlines will pool the revenue and costs associated with the provision of commercial passenger and cargo services on the route between Mauritius and Johannesburg and related destinations.
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