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South African Airways adds Gqeberha to it's permanent flight schedule. Photo: SA Gov News

Home » SAA adds Gqeberha into its permanent flight schedule

SAA adds Gqeberha into its permanent flight schedule

SAA had announced the Gqeberha flight route on a seasonal schedule but the carrier has confirmed the route will be added permanently.

South African Airways SAA - offers Voyager discounts
South African Airways adds Gqeberha to it's permanent flight schedule. Photo: SA Gov News

South African Airways (SAA) will not be halting flights to Gqeberha at the end of this month.

According to Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism, the airline has announced that its scheduled flights to Gqeberha will continue permanently.

SAA RELAUNCHED GQEBERHA FLIGHTS

SAA relaunched flights between Johannesburg and Gqeberha late last year, stating then that the route would operate as a seasonal one, ending on 31 March 2024.

The reason was that South African Airways did not have sufficient aircraft to offer the route long-term.

PERMANENT ROUTE

The national carrier has now decided that its seasonal flights to Gqeberha, (formally known as Port Elizabeth) will continue as a permanent route in SAA’s growing route network.

Thus, passengers can look forward to SAA’s full-service flights between Johannesburg and Gqeberha beyond 31 March 2024.

SAA offers two daily flights between Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport and Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport in Gqeberha.  

Flights operate seven days a week.

LEASED AIRCRAFT

Last year, South African Airways wet-leased two Boeing 737-800s from aircraft lessor Sun Express, enabling it to expand its flight schedule and route network without having to obtain its own new aircraft.

This agreement was set to end at the end of March when the two hired aircraft would return to Europe for the peak European summer season.  

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS RAMPS UP

The decision to continue its Gqeberha flights reflects SAA’s commitment to expanding its flight and route network.

This announcement is good news for SAA’s domestic customers, who can now rely on these services to Gqeberha.

SAA is also currently offering promotional fares on the route.

SAA RESUMES AUSTRALIA FLIGHTS

South African Airways will soon restart flights to a second intercontinental destination since emerging from its business rescue in 2021.  

The airline will start up popular direct flights between Johannesburg and Perth on 28 April.