South African Airways secures funding, cuts lightly loaded flights

South African Airways secured $237 million in “post commencement funding (PCF)” from the Development Bank of Southern Africa earlier this week. The funds are to help bridge the carrier’s operations into its business recovery plan. Only 60% is immediately available to the airline, but that is a substantial sum to help deliver the turnaround. And the first move within that recovery plan the carrier announced is to cut a number of flights.

In a statement the company described the plans as a response to low forward-looking demand:

[F]light demand has been scrutinised to ensure SAA is running efficient flights. To this end, SAA will therefore cancel and consolidate selected scheduled flights where there is low demand based on current forward bookings for the month of February.  

---

---

The cuts affect various flights through the end of February. Nine routes are currently affected, generally only for a few days through the month.

Chief Commercial Officer Philip Saunders noted, “We are committed to accommodating all affected customers on alternative flights, operated by the airline and its Star Alliance partners.  Any inconvenience or delays are intended to be minimal.”

Read more: South African Airways suspends some flights as losses deepen

---

---

The full list of Flight Cancellations as of Thursday afternoon is listed below. The carrier advises customers to check its travel advisory website for updates.

Johannesburg (JNB) – Durban (DUR)

SA575                  Depart 1900      Arrive 2005       Dates: 01, 05, 06, 08, 13 February

SA575                  Depart 1830      Arrive 1935       Dates: 07 February

SA527                  Depart 0630      Arrive 0735       Dates: 21 February

Durban (DUR) – Johannesburg (JNB)

SA528                  Depart 0630      Arrive 0735       Dates: 02 , 06 , 07 , 09 , 14 , 21 February

SA580                  Depart 2005      Arrive 2110       Dates: 07  February

Johannesburg (JNB) – Cape Town (CPT)

SA353                  Depart 1600      Arrive 1805       Dates: 03 , 04 , 11 ,  17 , 24 February

SA313                  Depart 0850      Arrive 1055       Dates: 04 , 11 , 25 February

SA303                  Depart 0530      Arrive 0735       Dates: 05 , 13 , 17 , 26 February

Cape Town (CPT) – Johannesburg (JNB)

SA366                  Depart 1850      Arrive 2045       Dates: 03 , 04 , 11 , 17 , 24 February

SA326                  Depart 1135      Arrive 1330       Dates: 04 , 11 , 25 February

SA316                  Depart 0820      Arrive 1015       Dates: 05 , 13 , 17 , 26 February

Johannesburg (JNB) – East London (ELS)

SA477                  Depart 1855      Arrive 2020       Dates: 05 , 06 , 12 , 19 , 26 February

East London (ELS) – Johannesburg (JNB) 

SA472                  Depart 0630      Arrive 0755       Dates: 06 , 07 , 13 , 20 , 27 February

Johannesburg (JNB) – Livingstone (LVI)

SA048                  Depart 1040      Arrive 1220       Dates: 01 , 05 , 08 , 10 , 11 , 15 , 18 , 19 , 26 ,  27  February

Livingstone (LVI) – Johannesburg (JNB)

SA049                  Depart 1300      Arrive 1440       Dates: 01 , 05 , 08 , 10 , 11 , 15 , 18 , 19 , 26 ,  27  February

Johannesburg (JNB) – Kinshasa (FIH)

SA050                  Depart 1010      Arrive 1255       Dates: 03 February

Kinshasa (FIH) – Johannesburg (JNB)

SA051                  Depart 1345      Arrive 1830       Dates: 03 February

Johannesburg (JNB) – Dar Es Salaam (DAR)

SA188                  Depart 1335      Arrive 1755       Dates: 03 , 10 , 17 February

Dar Es Salaam (DAR) – Johannesburg (JNB)

SA189                  Depart 0600      Arrive 0830       Dates: 04 , 11 , 18 February

Johannesburg (JNB) – Nairobi (NBO)

SA180                  Depart 1530      Arrive 2030       Dates: 01 , 08 , 22 February

Nairobi (NBO) – Johannesburg (JNB)

SA181                  Depart 0835      Arrive 1140       Dates: 02 , 09 , 23 February

Johannesburg (JNB) – Windhoek (WDH)

SA074                  Depart 0950      Arrive 1145       Dates: 06 February

SA076                  Depart 1430      Arrive 1625       Dates:  05 , 12 , 19 , 26 February

Windhoek (WDH) – Johannesburg (JNB)

SA075                  Depart 1235      Arrive 1420       Dates: 06 February

SA077                  Depart 1715      Arrive 1900       Dates:  05 , 12 , 19 , 26 February

Johannesburg (JNB) – Accra (ACC) – Washington (IAD)

SA209                    Depart 1805      Arrive 2205/Depart 2320            Arrive 0600        Dates: 16 , 18 February

Washington (IAD) – Accra (ACC) – Johannesburg (JNB)

SA210                    Depart 1740      Arrive 0835/Depart 0935            Arrive 1725        Dates: 17 ,  19 February