South African Airways (SAA) is aiming to resume scheduled flights to the USA next year.
The Johannesburg-based airline is planning to restart flights to the East Coast of the USA in 2026.
In addition, it is looking to operate flights between Cape Town and the United States.
South African Airways previously flew to New York and Washington DC before the pandemic and SAA’s grounding for a business rescue procedure in March 2020.
The airline flew between New York and Johannesburg, using Airbus A340 aircraft. It deployed newer Airbus A350s on the route in late 2019.
SAA flew between Washington and Johannesburg using Airbus A330s – with an intermediate stop in each direction.
It operated five of these flights via Accra, Ghana, and two weekly flights via Dakar, Senegal
SAA FIFTH FREEDOM FLIGHTS TO USA
Furthermore, South African Airways will seek to reintroduce flights to the USA via Ghana.
It intends to pick up and drop off passengers in Accra with these services.
There are sizable West African expat communities living in the USA, especially in the Washington DC area.
Speaking to Ghanaian media, SAA’s CEO John Lamola said that the airline hopes to use Accra as a hub for flights to the United States within the next 18 months.
Lamola said that SAA is aiming to operate flights to the USA (via Accra) by the end of 2026.
However, the launch of this service may encounter delays due to regulatory processes and the availability of aircraft.
SAA currently flies to Accra from Johannesburg. It offers four frequencies a week on this route.
The airline has gradually been rebuilding its route network and flight schedule since its restart in September 2021.
Its long-haul routes include flights to Sao Paulo and Perth.
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