South African Airways: Why airline has not relaunched India flights

Let’s take a look at why South African Airways (SAA) has not reintroduced scheduled flights to India.

There are several reasons why South African Airways should recommence its services between the two countries. The route could be economically viable for the airline if restarted.

South African Airways
South African Airways. Image: Joe Ravi, Wikimedia Commons

SOUTH AFRICA-INDIA FLIGHTS

The fact that South Africa and India are members of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) bloc implies the need for air connectivity between the two nations.

This would enable convenient passenger and cargo flows between the two BRICS nations.

Moreover, South Africa is home to large communities of people with Indian heritage. These ancestral and cultural connections are yet another reason why there is a need for direct air services between the countries.

Aside from the fact that over 900 million Indian nationals have passports and over 400 million people have the disposable income and desire to travel, the route could be popular for tourist travels.

LONGSTANDING SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS ROUTE 

South African Airways actually operated direct flights between Johannesburg and Mumbai in India for 19 years, before the airline dropped the route in April 2015.

Privately owned Indian carrier Jet Airways also briefly operated flights on the route. However, Jet Airways suspended its flights in June 2012.

Thus, there have been no direct scheduled flights between the two countries for a number of years.

CONNECTIVITY WITHIN BRICS

Last year after the BRICS Summit held in South Africa, it was agreed that there was a need to boost air connectivity between member states.

This would improve cooperation and trade within the BRICS markets.

The problem with BRICS members is that they are not geographically located near one other. Hence the need for good transport links.   

A VISA OBSTACLE

During a panel discussion at the Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa (BARSA) summit, held in Johannesburg in early March the question of India flights was raised once again.

When the question was posed by moderator John Howell, CEO of AviaDev, SAA’s Tebogo Tsimane said that South African Airways was “looking at it (flights to India)”.

Tsimane mentioned that some obstacles prevented a restart of SAA’s services to India. Among these are visa regulations.

Indian passport holders need visas to visit South Africa. The fact that a visa requirement is in place for Indian nationals is a deterrent for SAA offering its flights. Visa requirements are an obstacle for potential travellers.

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS’ BRAZIL FLIGHTS

Last year SAA relaunched direct flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Sao Paolo in Brazil (a BRICS member state).

Since nationals of Brazil do not need visas for entry to South Africa, there are no hurdles for these nationals when visiting South Africa.

This benefits airlines offering flights on the route since passengers can book flights without any restrictions.     

OTHER HURDLES

The fact that South African Airways currently does not have sufficient aircraft to ramp up its route network is another challenge for the airline.

The carrier has recently extended a wet lease with Sun Express, for two Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

These aircraft enable the airline to offer more flights on its domestic routes.   

FUNDING FOR EXPANSION

The withdrawal of a private investor, Takatso Consortium, has meant that SAA did not receive the cash injection it needed to help expand operations.

An unnamed source in the aviation sector has stated that SAA has approached Chinese aircraft lessors for additional aircraft that will enable it to expand its route network.

ALSO READ: South African Airways: Not down and out!

CONTINUING OPERATIONS

South Africa’s Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan met with South African Airways (SAA) employees at the airline’s headquarters on 18 March to assure them that the airline would not collapse. 

Gordhan told staff members the airline has funds to sustain operations for 12 to 18 months. He is confident that the airline’s management will steer the company to greater heights.

Gordhan said the airline was already looking for ways to raise money to fund its route expansion plans.

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