South African Airways (SAA) is set to take a major step in its recovery and growth strategy, as the airline unveils plans to expand its fleet.
According to CEO Prof. John Lamola, the carrier aims to grow its aircraft count to 50, marking a significant move toward restoring its regional and international presence.
According to djsaviation.net, as a result, around 30 planes will need to be purchased soon as efforts ramp up to rebuild the damaged company.
Over the last 12 months, the damaged carrier has repeatedly stated that it wants to purchase new planes while also looking at second-hand units to ensure more short-term growth.
South African Airways won’t focus just on regional flying. Still, they will also look towards international markets, which will require larger, more efficient planes with capacity present to make these possible.
Part of the airline’s mission to grow aligns with a five-year plan; This plan involves the thorough renewal and modernisation of the business to elevate the brand and impress its current and prospective customer base.
South African Airways believes it’s unique and needs to enhance its presence across Africa, a growing market, by offering customers high-end travel choices.
To achieve this goal over the next three years, the ambition is to grow the fleet from 20 to 50. This will be a careful expansion that will seek solutions that make financial sense.
A Troubled Past For South African Airways
South African Airways has experienced nothing short of trouble in the last decade. Some onlookers would argue it has extended well beyond that.
The troubles have resulted in the subsequent shrinking of the airline’s operations on an employee, fleet and route network basis.
Following the pandemic, the airline has sought to emerge more positively, streamlined, and place greater importance on its financial position to ensure longevity in the industry can be achieved.
However, despite these hopes of growth, South African Airways is still aware of its situation after a turbulent last decade that will result in sustainability being more significant than ever.
Being cash-positive and surviving independently remains one of South African Airways’ most significant focus areas, away from just fleet growth.
Maintaining self-sufficiency alongside harnessing growth will be crucial in enabling the airline to reach its objectives, which have been outlined on several occasions.
