Travel Advisory
South African Airways Operations Update
South African Airways (SAA) advises all customers that the global lockdown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and our suspension of services has given us the opportunity to concentrate on moving forward our much publicised business rescue process. Amongst other benefits this process aims to produce a right sized, customer centric airline; designed to be lean, technology savvy, digitally native and agile to service all market segments. Whilst the SAA Business Rescue Practitioners (BRPs) are working with the shareholder, the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) and financiers on the future shape and form of the airline we regret that a temporary suspension of all operations is necessary.
As the world continues to intensify research efforts to find a cure for the virus, economic activity needs to be resumed. South Africa entered level one of the lockdown from 01 October 2020. #SouthAfricaisTravelReady
Although trans-national commercial air travel is permissible under lockdown level one, it is however conditional as many countries battle with fluctuating infection rates. For now this has necessitated that all SAA operated flights (domestic and regional) are suspended until end February 2021 and all international flights are suspended until 27 March 2021.
Although South Africa is travel ready, demand for domestic air travel has been significantly reduced, therefore to avoid over-capacity and to ensure commercial viability SAA has taken the decision to only operate our marketing (SA) flight numbers. We are delighted that the South African Airways code (SA) is available for booking on the domestic route network as our subsidiary low cost carrier Mango continues to operate in level one of lockdown.
The temporary suspension of operations also means that we would not be reachable to provide support through voice or email channels. You may however continue transacting on our website or contact your nearest travel agent.
SAA apologies for the inconvenience caused as a result of the suspension of its operations.
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Applicable to all tickets issued on/before 25 March 2020 and new tickets issued up to 28 February 2021 (domestic and regional) and 27 March 2021 (international).
This Travel Advisory is applicable to South African Airways operated flights, SAA/Mango codeshare (SA2000 flight range) and SA marketing (SA7000 flight range)
This Travel Advisory is also applicable to SA Express (SA1000 flight range) and Airlink (SA8000 flight range) flights that form part of an itinerary that contains a SAA operated flight.
Affected International Flights between:
Johannesburg and Washington DC
Johannesburg and New York
Johannesburg and Perth
Johannesburg and London
Johannesburg and Munich
Accra and Washington DC
Affected Regional Flights between:
Johannesburg and Accra
Johannesburg and Lusaka
Johannesburg and Harare
Johannesburg and Victoria Falls
Johannesburg and Windhoek
Johannesburg and Lagos
Johannesburg and Entebbe
Johannesburg and Mauritius
Johannesburg and Nairobi
Johannesburg and Maputo
Johannesburg and Blantyre
Johannesburg and Lilongwe
Johannesburg and Dar-es-salaam
Johannesburg and Kinshasa
Johannesburg and Livingstone
Affected Domestic Flights between:
Johannesburg and Cape Town
Important Note: Flights between Johannesburg and Sao Paulo are excluded from this policy
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Original ticket FARE rules would not apply
Customers would be able to use the value of their original ticket purchase as a credit towards the purchase of a new ticket on South African Airways operated and marketing flights
Rebookings must be done and tickets reissued by 25 March 2022
- Travel must be completed by 25 March 2022
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Customers would be able to use the value of their original ticket purchase as a credit towards the purchase of a new ticket on South African Airways operated and marketing flights
Should the value of the new ticket purchase be higher than the credit amount, you would be liable for the difference
Should the value of the new ticket purchase be lower than the credit amount, the difference would be given back to you on a voucher to be used towards another ticket purchase
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Applicable to all FARE types
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Customers would be able to use the value of their original ticket purchase as a credit towards the purchase of a new ticket on a South African Airways operated and/or marketing flight
You may therefore opt to purchase a new ticket in a different cabin
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Customers would be able to use the value of their original ticket purchase as a credit towards the purchase of a new ticket on a South African Airways operated and/or marketing flight
Change of routing would therefore be permitted
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Customers would be able to use the value of their original ticket purchase as a credit towards the purchase of a new ticket on a South African Airways operated and/or marketing flight
Previous No-show passengers are only eligible for this waiver if the no show fee of the original ticket is applied at time of new ticket purchase
FARE and Carrier Imposed Fees are not permitted for refund
Note:
This procedure over-rides our standard Conditions of Carriage pertaining to Refunds and Ticket Validity
The updated policy applies across SAA’s route network, including domestic, regional and international flights
To demonstrate our care, the policy provides for changes for a period that extends beyond the industry norm (where ordinarily tickets are valid for 6 months only for domestic travel and 12 months only for international travel). This time, the tickets are valid until 2022
We are unale to assist with refunds at this time of business rescue. Please retain your ticket as it would be used as a credit when we are back.
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If you have purchased a ticket on or after 06 December 2019 on a route that is operated by Airlink, please read more.
For tickets purchased prior to 06 December 2019 where Airlink was the operating carrier, follow the SAA Flight Suspension Policy.
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In light of the Coronavirus pandemic, a number of countries have imposed travel restrictions. You may view information relating to the travel restrictions by accessing the below websites
https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/
To view the Travel Advisory and updates issued by the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation
please click here
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This waiver is applicable to all Voyager Awards including Companion Tickets
Change of routing will be permitted for Voyager tickets booked in I and X classes subject to the new route being in the same award region
Change of routing on Companion Tickets will be permitted subject to the required revenue ticket being on the same route
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Customers who have booked through a travel agent should contact their travel agent directly.
If you have booked your ticket directly with SAA we regret that our Contact Centres have had to temporary close. We would gladly assist you when we are back. You can also retain your ticket to be used as a credit at a later stage.