South African Airways (SAA) has strengthened its partnership with SunExpress, a joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa, by expanding its operations for South Africa’s peak end-of-year travel season. This enhanced collaboration comes after a successful first year of partnership, and it promises to significantly boost SAA’s flight capacity during a critical travel period.
Starting November 2024, SunExpress will double the number of aircraft leased to SAA, providing four Boeing 737-800 planes, complete with cockpit and maintenance crew, for a six-month period. This increase in fleet size will boost SAA’s capacity by an average of 20 daily flights, equating to 134 weekly flights across three main routes. The expanded partnership ensures greater connectivity and more travel options for passengers, meeting the growing demand during South Africa’s peak holiday season.
“We are delighted to confirm the expansion of our partnership with SunExpress to accommodate additional aircraft for our peak season,” said SAA interim CEO, Professor John Lamola. He added that the extra capacity would help the airline better manage the global shortage of available aircraft while offering a better travel experience for customers.
Expanding Fleet to Meet Demand
With the first aircraft set to begin operations in November 2024, this partnership addresses both the increased passenger demand during the busy holiday season and the global challenges related to aircraft availability. The decision to add more planes to SAA’s fleet shows a proactive approach in managing seasonality, ensuring smoother operations for both airlines involved.
In addition to the expanded fleet, the partnership will feature a specialised training programme for SAA cabin crew members. This initiative aims to deepen collaboration between South African and SunExpress crew members, with training taking place at both SunExpress headquarters in Antalya, Turkey, and at the SAA headquarters in Johannesburg. The programme promises to enhance the level of service provided to SAA passengers, aligning the airline’s service standards with the award-winning level of excellence expected by its customers.
A Growing Partnership
SunExpress CEO, Max Kownatzki, expressed enthusiasm about the expanded partnership. “We are excited to expand our partnership with South African Airways and build on the successes of our first year together. Doubling our leased fleet to SAA marks a significant step in managing seasonality as we continue to grow our fleet,” Kownatzki said. He further noted that the dedicated training for SAA cabin crew members underscores the shared vision of operational excellence between the two airlines.
The expanded partnership between SAA and SunExpress signals a strong commitment to improving operational efficiency, offering enhanced travel experiences, and adapting to market demands. By leveraging each other’s strengths, both airlines are better positioned to serve their customers during South Africa’s busiest travel period.
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