Article from an aviation web site on the current status of SAA.

SAA woes take another twist
Submitted by daniella.horwit... on Tue, 2016-06-14 10:28
PrintPrint
Following the news of a recent boardroom reshuffle at troubled airline South African Airways, Cape Town-based journalist Daniella Hortwitz looks at how this might effect its future operation.
South Africa’s finance minister Pravin Gordhan has declared that troubled national carrier South African Airways (SAA) will have a new board, despite speculation that President Jacob Zuma is blocking him from firing SAA chairperson Dudu Myeni.
SAA has seen seven acting chief executives in less than four years and last week, as detailed by Alex Derber in Monday's Talking Point, Nico Bezuidenhout, CEO of SAA LCC subsidiary Mango Airlines tendered his resignation. He said in an interview with Radio 702 that he believes SAA can be rescued and fixed, but that it will require strong leadership.
The turmoil at the airline came to a head late last year when Myeni attempted to reconfigure a contract with Airbus. Had this occurred it would have cost the airline millions of rands. However, SAA was ordered by Gordhan to honour the original ‘swap transaction’ approved by former finance minister Nhlanhla Nene. (Nene’s sacking was believed by many to be connected to the Airbus deal, although the president’s office denied this.)
SAA is in a precarious financial position. It has not made a profit since 2011 and despite the implementation of various turnaround plans, it urgently needs another injection of capital.
Myeni has cited the cost of pilots as a contributing factor - “Pilot’s pay is our number one problem”. John Harty, chairman of the SAA pilots association, responded: “We’re a scapegoat for what is happening at management level.”
There are contradictory messages from the treasury and the presidency on the future of SAA. During his budget speech in February, Gordhan said the government was thinking about merging SAA and SA Express and selling a stake to private investors. In May President Zuma visited SAA headquarters and said the government would never privatise or sell the carrier.
“You have conflicting messages: the minister in his budget says this, and then the president says something different... This is not a tough role, but I think if you look at the dynamics of the role and the role-players, they make it tough” commented acting chief executive Musa Zwane at the International Air Transport Association’s annual general meeting in Dublin earlier this month.
In the latest remarkable development, on Saturday (11 June) SAA released a statement admitting that it subleased 10 aircraft at a significant discount to Mango Airlines. Pundits say this may have been an attempt to smear the reputation of outgoing CEO Bezuidenhout. However, it also means that Mango will now be open to investigation by the Competition Commission.
Despite this instability, SAA is now looking at new opportunities for partnership and network expansion. The carrier is expected to launch new routes after the delivery of its first two A330-300s in 4Q2016 and is again in talks with Etihad after a previously unsuccessful codeshare.
If there is any hope of a return to profitability, a complete overhaul of the company is required, but that seems doubtful given the current political situation.

SAA is looking more and more anemic and that is a little troubling when it comes to aircraft maintenance and operations.

Too bad Zuma won't share a few of his hundred millions he has appropriated from the taxpayers.

SAA must survive.

The first time I flew SAA (back in 2002), the service was first rate and I thoroughly enjoyed the flight. The flight attendants, black and white, were polite, hardworking, and friendly.

The very next year I flew SAA again. This was just after "nationalization" and the service was horrible. Apparently the newly-hired flight attendants (which were all black) were given their jobs based upon connections, rather than a desire to do a good job. They brought your meals and drinks rather grudgingly with mostly looks of disdain or outright contempt.

Sad state of affairs IMO.

BH63

I flew SAA a few weeks ago from NY to JNB and the service wasn't very good. Even asking for water was met with a cranky response.

Food was terrible and it was more than an hour between the meal and the drinks.

The airlines that will fly the firearms (without a hassle or major fee) are dwindling.

I will be flying SAA end of July and will give a report upon my return. Hope they get it turned around as not a lot of options and carriers getting less hunter friendly. I have never flown Emirates but have heard their service is good.

Confirm Buff Hunter's comments.
Have flown SAA to Jo'Burg 7 or 8 times since 1999. The service was great. Then pretty good. Then acceptable. Then the last time - 4 years ago - the flight attendants were either indifferent or rude, unless the Purser was around. I got bumped pretty hard by one of the attendants with both of us passing in the aisle. Stopped and shook my head in disbelief. Decided to forego my future fun on their airline.

Last 3 trips were either Delta or British Air. And on the 28th, it will again be Delta.

I would be interested to know how the SAA flight comes off Sniper.

Last year we had 4 SAA flights in business class (but not here from the USA) in Africa. Each of those flights was great in every aspect from gate agent check in and boarding, to any meal service, and luggage. As a matter of fact it was equal to or better than our British Airways flights in every category. One of the SAA guys at the check in counter in JoBurg was having a bad morning for a minute but even that worked out well and all of our stuff was handled nicely.

I am not that fussy about airplane meals and drinks anyway as I would much prefer to dine at something nice upon arrival. However my girls did ask for a something ( I don't remember what) and it was provided with a smile.

I haven't been to Africa on Delta. Delta used to be one of my favorite airlines and certainly one of the top carriers but that has long since changed.

As I said I'd be interested to hear about your impressions of the SAA flight as I am seriously looking at the JFK to JoBurg flight for my next Africa hunt.

If not then I will be on Emirates I am pretty sure.

I just flew SAA JFK-JBG and returned 6/27. SAA service was excellent. JBG-JFK my flight attendant was the BEST. He was very personable and helpful to all in his section. Always had a smile. I saw the crew collecting luggage when I was collecting my rifle and thanked him for his good service. Great guy.

Just a few more weeks until departure and will definitely give a review of this trip compared to others in regard to SAA.

I just think back on all the transatlantic crossings side saddle in a C141..

I usually fly SAA direct out of Dulles so I don't have to change planes.

Settle in, couple sleeping pills, headphones in and go into zombie mode for 16 hrs....

quote:

Originally posted by Scott Powell:
I just think back on all the transatlantic crossings side saddle in a C141..

I usually fly SAA direct out of Dulles so I don't have to change planes.

Settle in, couple sleeping pills, headphones in and go into zombie mode for 16 hrs....

+++++1

quote:

Originally posted by subsailor74:

quote:

Originally posted by Scott Powell:
I just think back on all the transatlantic crossings side saddle in a C141..

I usually fly SAA direct out of Dulles so I don't have to change planes.

Settle in, couple sleeping pills, headphones in and go into zombie mode for 16 hrs....

+++++1

+2. Cal. Great minds think alike.

I quit flying with them in 2002 when i was seated behind the cockpit door and the cockpit caught on fire over the atlantic and filled the cabin with smoke.

quote:

Originally posted by dukxdog:
I just flew SAA JFK-JBG and returned 6/27. SAA service was excellent. JBG-JFK my flight attendant was the BEST. He was very personable and helpful to all in his section. Always had a smile. I saw the crew collecting luggage when I was collecting my rifle and thanked him for his good service. Great guy.

I've had excellent experience with SAA on all four trips to Africa in both business and economy class from 2008 through two months ago. I've had great service from the cabin crews and ticketing agents and I have zero complaints about SAA.


.

This is from a post I did last year on a SAA flight from Dulles to Tambo.

Just got back and now I know why me and my clients got such a good deal on our flights.

First of all I have Flown SAA before but only from Zimbabwe to Johannesburg. I figured that it was a small jet and seats were very tight. I quickly discovered that their bigger jets have seats that are also tight. I know I am larger than average man. I am 6 foot 205 pounds with a 36 waist. I had zero wiggle room with a bulk head seat. Much different from the Delta flights that I had taken in the past. This is was a mere discomfort but not why I am writing this post.

When I purchased our tickets we were scheduled to land in Dakar, Senegal. Plane re fuels and we take off an hour later. No one gets on or off the plane according to the person I talked to at SAA when I booked the tickets.

Once we get our boarding passes we learn that we are to land in Ghana. A little concern due to this being in the ground zero area of the 2014 Ebola Outbreak. No outbreaks lately so no concern. I was curious about the fishing. World record tarpon fishing and big blue marlin. Not much concern because we are not getting off of the plane.

We land and people start unbuckling and start to get up. Half of the plane is getting off. Our Film guy yells from the back of the plane and we stop a guy that was almost to bulkhead where I was sitting. He had our camera guys drone in his hand. We stopped him and he said that he picked it up by mistake. I told my camera guy that I did not want to get involved with police report in Ghana. At this time our entire group start to kept sharp eye on all of our gear.

Security starts to come through plane. They go through everything. All carry on bags and electrical devices. Then cleaning crew comes onboard while security is checking everyone. I bet there were over 45 people on that plane from the cleaning crew and security. Plane boards takes off and we land safely in Johannesburg.

We go on our hunt and have a great time. We go to three different countries. My clients harvest lost of planes game, two buffalo and great wing shooting. We got some great footage of my buffalo stalks on film. We had a small boss bull run up and stop 15 yards away as well as several close encounters when herd is running past us at 30 yards. I will post footage when film is finished being edited.

Leave Johannesburg on Monday. Make sure that you do not volunteer information about alkaline batteries. We were held up at check in for over an hour while they looked through regulations book.

Again we land in Ghana. This was Monday at 9:00 pm. Eighty percent of the people on board get off of the plane. Everyone is paying attention to their gear! Same deal lots of people off the plane and security and cleaning crew board. Crew stays on board for over an hour. I am thinking that there will be a middle row where I can lay down and sleep. Then we get the announcement. Please stay seated while plane is being boarded.

I looked out my window and saw three busses pull up to the tarmac. There are people running out of the buss to the plane. All of us are thinking that they must be refugees.


You should have seen the people boarding our plane. At least 15 women with small children and babies tied to their backs with blankets. There were few people that were missing limbs. I could not believe that these people could afford plane tickets. As we are taking off, I am literally looking down the isle expecting to see goats and chickens. I told one of my guys that he was getting the full Africa experience.

Land safely and no problems with customs other than small issue with one clients 4457. Took him an hour longer than the rest to get through.

After doing some research on SAA, I learned that they only have 41 jets and the RSA government has had to bail them out twice. On a positive note, I stopped in First Class and check out the seats. I think that it is better than Delta's First Class. About the size of a regular lazy boy and it folds out flat.
You can get one first class ticket to RSA from Dulles for around the same price you can purchase two tickets from Atlanta to RSA on Delta. Something to consider if you are a big person and have to book two seats.

Overall, another great hunting trip to Africa.

Leaving on SAA from Dulles on Friday will update when I can.

Off to a grand start. Our group was up early and at the check in 2 hours prior to our first flight which we promptly found out that United had conveniently cancelled. After much discussion and phone calls they put us onto a Delta flight to Atlanta and now we are waiting for the flight to Dulles. Then it's SAA from there. I think it will be a miracle if all our bags make it to J'burg.

Client and I booked through "Cape to Cairo" on SAA in Sept to JNB. Was told that SAA does not offer seat selection, if you want to select an aisle or whatever you have to pay extra! Anyone had similar experience?

From "Aviation Week and Space Technology" Probably the premier aerospace industry weekly publication.

Indulgent as it is to cover South African Airways (SAA) thrice in one week, the airline’s hapless antics are just too funny not to warrant further mention.
On Monday the last of SAA’s competent executives, Nico Bezuidenhout, announced his switch to Fastjet, which despite its many and grievous failings was evidently more attractive than further dealings with SAA’s top brass.
The last of an ‘old guard’ of management to have resigned or been sacked, Bezuidenhout’s departure will leave SAA without a permanent CEO, CCO, CFO, chief strategy officer, head of human resources and – when he goes on August 1 – boss of low-cost subsidiary Mango.

That sounds lovely.

We all made it to Dulles. The attitude of United and their Star Alliance one would have thought United filed for bankruptcy last night. Their attitude at check in was "sucks to be you" while they got it sorted. They did get us rerouted which I appreciate but not the friendliest service.

The Delta personnel were very accommodating and friendly and made sure everything else was good to go.

Will update on SAA after landing and getting into camp in a few days.

Made it to camp, good to be at home here with my SA family.

No issues at all with me or from any of the 4 clients in regard to the SAA flight or service. The only negative I could identify is one lavatory was out of service for the second leg of the flight. The airplane was clean and food was what it was airplane food. The flight left a little late but we arrived on time in SA

Oh yes we all got all our luggage and rifle cases! Thank you Delta.

Sniper the above sounds more like issues with the other connecting airlines than SAA to me.

Have a great hunt first, but post up more when you get a chance.

I don't think there is any question that SAA's Government control goons and handlers need to be sacked. But that isn't about to happen - not at least until they can pilfer anything left to get.

But my interest is in how SAA is functioning on the ground with regard to its passengers.

Yes the only issues we had were with United. All the SAA and SAPs personnel were attentive and friendly.

Question, you mention United and SAA in your post, but earlier you thanked Delta?

Did you fly United/SAA but ship your luggage with Delta?

Which airlines deserve credit?

We just got back from SA.
Flew KLM down and AF back.
Would do Delta or KLM, but not AF again.

United cancelled the first leg of our flight without explanation and although the negotiated another route with Delta the United personnel we dealt with were far from friendly or professional. When we went to the Delta counter they were expecting us and very friendly and helpful and made extra afford to ensure our bags made the transition from Delta to SAA. Hope that helps explain more clearly.

SAA failed to load my bags for my connection to Harare. Overnight the lock was cut off one bag. Ammo was stolen. Knives and prescription medication as well. Joberg and SAA leave a lot to be desired.

Jeff

Back home to the States. Our SAA flight from Polokwane was delayed for about 3 hours due to a mechanical issue with the plane. I am not sure if one should complain about that versus taking off and then having a mechanical issue. Overall the SAA service I found to be satisfactory. I will also say that this year it felt like it was the most complicated as far as travel but not due to SAA.

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana Bunduki:
SAA failed to load my bags for my connection to Harare. Overnight the lock was cut off one bag. Ammo was stolen. Knives and prescription medication as well. Joberg and SAA leave a lot to be desired.

Jeff

That is one reason I decided to spend two nights in Jo-burg and not do a connecting flight to Zim. I booked them as separate flights. Less time in the airport, hopefully means less time for the thieves to ply their craft. On my return I will spend one night in Jo'burg, again to minimize the time my luggage stays in Jo'burg ariport.

On my last trip to RSA, I had an expensive piece of luggage ruined, when the idiots, broke the locking rings on the luggage. There was nothing of value in the luggage, just some clothes so I didn't lose anything, but I can't use that piece of luggage anymore, so that was $300.00 bucks worth of damage.

BH63

quote:

Originally posted by Sniper:
Back home to the States. Our SAA flight from Polokwane was delayed for about 3 hours due to a mechanical issue with the plane. I am not sure if one should complain about that versus taking off and then having a mechanical issue. Overall the SAA service I found to be satisfactory. I will also say that this year it felt like it was the most complicated as far as travel but not due to SAA.

Good to know and thank you for your updates. I would like to see SAA go private - I bet it would do quite well with professional management free of SA gov messes. As I said in 2015 our flight were tops on SAA but we were on African destinations too.