South African Airways (SAA) is celebrating its return to Perth with events in South Africa and Australia. The airline’s first relaunched flight takes off from Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport on the evening of Sunday 28 April, and lands at Perth Airport on Monday 29 April at around midday, Australian Western Standard Time.
SAA is hosting a stakeholder dinner event in Johannesburg this week in partnership with the Gauteng Tourism Authority to celebrate its return to Perth and will host media and trade events in Perth next week following the arrival of its maiden relaunched flight. This underlines the significance of the route for tourism and business in both countries.
With a flying time of around 10 hours, SAA says the direct route is the most convenient and affordable connection between the two countries and is especially significant for the large South African diaspora living in Australia.
“This builds on the successes of our launch of the São Paulo intercontinental route six months ago,” says SAA’s interim CEO, Professor John Lamola.
“This is an important route for both SAA and South Africa. Perth has long been a favoured destination for South African travellers. Approximately 80% of our target market travel there regularly to visit family and friends.”
South Africa’s Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan, says the reintroduction of flights to Perth is good news for the entire country. “This is a sign that more intercontinental flights, not only through codeshares but by SAA in its own right, are unfolding; and ultimately the beneficiaries will be South Africans,” says Gordhan.
“Not only will the Perth route give business and leisure travellers greater travel options for visiting South Africa, but it will also see the linking and alignment of Africa’s most industrialised, technologically advanced and diversified economy with large and significant economies in the Australasian region and beyond through air cargo,” he adds.
Three flights a week
SAA is offering a thrice-a-week service between Johannesburg and Perth, with flight departures and arrivals timed for passengers’ convenience. Flights depart each city late in the evening, with arrivals in Johannesburg in the early morning and at around midday in Perth. This allows travellers to arrive in each city with sufficient daylight ahead to begin their holiday or business trip, or take a connecting flight to another destination. SAA’s Star Alliance membership means travellers can connect easily to destinations around the world.
Prof. Lamola says, “SAA’s return to Perth also marks a triumph for the airline itself. “It speaks to the hard work that’s underpinned the renewal of South Africa’s national carrier and is an important step towards realising the airline’s strategic growth plans,” he added.
