RIP South African Airways…

It looks as though the first airline fatality from COVID-19 may well be South African Airways.  This shouldn’t be a shock since they haven’t made a profit since 2011.  Even so, it’s sad to see a national airline go down the tubes.

According to Bloomberg News, the state-owned airline has offered severance deals to all 4,700 staff from the end of this month after administrators concluded that a successful turnaround is now unlikely.  SAA has had nine CEOs over the last ten years, which is a pretty good indicator of how the airline was run.

Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan announced that the cost of dealing with the coronavirus pandemic means there is no cash available to save the airline.  This means laying off all of the staff and beginning the process of selling assets, including its two coveted slots at London’s Heathrow Airport.

South African Airways began service in February of 1934 and at one time was the largest airline in Africa.

I had the opportunity to fly South African way back in 1987 on an overnight First Class flight from London to Johannesburg on a 747.  Back then, International First Class was a whole different experience from what it is now, but it was an amazing flight with excellent service.  Waking up to the sunrise over the Kalahari Desert was breathtaking.

Apartheid was the law of the land and P.W. Botha was the president.  I was working for the government at the time and involved in an official visit prior to U.S. sanctions being levied against the South African government.

It is still amazing to me that despite that heinous policy, Nelson Mandela would be elected seven years later in a peaceful transition of power; an unusual turn of events in post-colonial Africa.

Brian

As an avid traveler, Brian has explored and enjoyed cultural encounters in over 40 countries while spending many years refining The Points Game — using credit card sign-up bonuses and other tricks to get nearly free travel.  Getting the most out of every trip is an art and Brian launched My Travel Traxx to help others enjoy the art of travel.