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South African Airways

South Africa · SPRINGBOK

Airlines
SAActive

South African Airways

South Africa · SPRINGBOK
202
Routes
6
Hubs
SAA
ICAO
SA
IATA
TravelerPulse profile

Africa's leading airline connecting the continent to the world.

Founded
1934
Headquarters
Johannesburg, South Africa
Alliance
Star Alliance
South African Airways (SAA) is the national carrier of South Africa, founded in 1934. Operating under the IATA code SA and ICAO code SAA with the callsign SPRINGBOK, it has historically been one of the most prominent airlines on the African continent, serving destinations across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas. The airline faced severe financial difficulties in the late 2010s and entered business rescue proceedings in 2019, temporarily suspending operations in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It relaunched in September 2021 under a restructured ownership model that included a private equity partner, Takatso Consortium. SAA is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, and operates primarily out of OR Tambo International Airport. The airline has been a member of the Star Alliance, giving it global connectivity through partner carriers. It continues to play a significant role in regional African aviation.
Hubs & network
South African Airways operates primarily from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, with a secondary presence at Cape Town International Airport.
Fleet
SAA has operated aircraft including the Airbus A320, A330, and A340 families, though its fleet was significantly reduced following financial restructuring.
Notable facts
  • ›SAA entered voluntary business rescue proceedings in December 2019 due to long-standing financial losses.
  • ›The airline suspended all operations in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and restructuring process.
  • ›SAA relaunched commercial flights in September 2021 after a government-backed restructuring.
  • ›It is one of the oldest airlines in Africa, having been founded in 1934.
  • ›The Takatso Consortium was announced as a strategic equity partner as part of SAA's post-rescue ownership restructure.
Official website Wikipedia
This profile is provided for general information only. Contact details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airline's official website before acting on them.
South Africa's flag carrier connecting the continent and the world

South African Airways, founded in 1934, is the national carrier of South Africa and one of the longest-established airlines on the African continent. Operating primarily from its main hub at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, SAA has long served as a gateway between Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Known by its radio callsign Springbok, the airline has undergone significant restructuring in recent years, emerging from business rescue in 2021 with a renewed focus on African and selected international routes.

Primary Hubs
JNBCPT
Cabin Classes
EconomyBusiness
Loyalty Program

SAA Voyager

Fleet Note

South African Airways operates a narrowbody and widebody fleet primarily composed of Airbus A320 family aircraft and Airbus A330s for longer regional and international routes.

Baggage policy Contact & support

AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.

Route network map (202 legs)

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO

Route network

ABJ → ACC332
ADD → JNB77L
APL → JNBER3
BBK → JNBER3
BEW → JNBER3
BFN → CPT733 738
BFN → DURER3 J41
BKK → JNB777
BKO → ADD757
BOM → JNB332
BUQ → JNBAR8
CAI → JNB330
COO → PNR320
CPT → DUR738
CPT → ELSDH4 CR2
CPT → GRJCR2 ER3 AR8
CPT → JNB738 320 343 319 733 346 332 342
CPT → KIMCR2 ER3
CPT → UTNER3
CPT → WVBCR2
DKR → BKO763
DKR → JNB343
DLA → LBV320 319
DUR → BFNER3 J41
DUR → CPT738
DUR → ELSCR2
DUR → HRECR2
DUR → JNB738 319 320 733
DUR → LUNCR2
DUR → MPMJ41
DUR → MQPER3 J41
DUR → PLZCR2
DXB → DUR77W
EBB → JNB319
ELS → CPTDH4 CR2
ELS → DURCR2
ELS → JNB320 319
FRA → JNB346
GBE → JNBDH4 AR8 CR2 ER3 CR7
HDS → CPTCR2
HDS → JNBDH4
HRE → DURCR2
HRE → JNB738 319 320
IAD → DKR343
JFK → JNB346
JNB → ACC332
JNB → APLER3
JNB → BFNDH4 AR8 ER3 CR7
JNB → BKK777
JNB → BLZ738
JNB → BUQAR8
JNB → CPT738 343 320 319 733 346 332 342
JNB → DKR343
JNB → ELS319 320
JNB → FRA346
JNB → GRU332 343 346
JNB → HDSDH4
JNB → HKG346 343
JNB → KGL73W
JNB → KIMDH4 AR8 ER3 CR7
JNB → LAD343 346 332
JNB → LOS343 346
JNB → LUN738 319 320
JNB → MPM319 ER4 DH4
JNB → MRU332 342 320 738
JNB → MUBAR8
JNB → POLER3
JNB → RCBDH4 J41
JNB → SEZ332
JNB → SIN772
JNB → TNRAR8
JNB → UTNER3 AR8
KIM → CPTCR2 ER3
LBV → DLA320 319
LHR → JNB332 343
LUN → DURCR2
LUN → JNB320 738 319
LVI → JNB319 320
LVI → MQPER3
MAN → MUC319
South African Airways
Encyclopaedia

South African Airways is the flag carrier of South Africa. Founded in 1929 as Union Airways it later rebranded to South African Airways in 1934. As of February 2026, SAA flies to 17 destinations, operating a fleet of 19 aircraft.

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