FCTG welcomes new SAA ownership - The welcome news brings more choice to the South African traveller

JOHANNESBURG, 11 JUNE 2021 – The Flight Centre Travel Group has welcomed the announcement of a newly configured South African Airways (SAA), which will be jointly owned by government and a strategic equity partner consortium, Takatso.

“We welcome the announcement this morning regarding the way forward for SAA as a sustainable and competitive airline that will no longer be dependent on the fiscus,” says Andrew Stark, Flight Centre Travel Group MD. “This is incredibly positive news and we offer our 100% support to Gidon Novick, CEO of the consortium, and the team.

“To have a local equity partner, ensuring that our national carrier will continue to be owned and run by South Africans, is a fantastic and most welcome development. For South African travellers, having more choice for local, regional and international flights will also be well received. 

“It is a timely move considering that global carriers are reinstating their airlift into and from South Africa,” said Stark, citing the news that United Airlines, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are resuming or upping flight schedules into the country.

“The more air capacity we have, the more airline seats, the more choice for South African travellers. During the pandemic local travellers were faced with a diminished choice of airlines and high pricing.

The increased options for flights spells good news for our customers, giving them more choice and better pricing.

We would like to congratulate Public Enterprise Minister Pravin Gordhan, Takatso CEO Gidon Novick and all involved. Gidon brings many years of leadership and aviation experience to SAA and the team and we all welcome more airlift in our South African skies,” concludes Stark.