According to the report, Gordhan said that the upcoming event marks a very significant step in the resurgence of South African Airways and that the government looks forward to the official relaunch of SAA, along with the introduction of its first intercontinental flight to São Paulo, Brazil.
SAA announced earlier this year that it will fly to São Paulo four times a week, with two flights departing from Cape Town and two from Johannesburg. SAA Interim CEO, Professor John Lamola, said that the airline decided to introduce the long-haul flight after careful analysis showed that it would be sustainable.
Cape Town Etc reported that Professor John Lamola, the interim CEO of SAA, said that the airline decided to introduce the long-haul flight to São Paulo after carefully considering whether it would be sustainable. He said that the airline is excited to announce São Paulo as its first international destination since emerging from bankruptcy and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Lamola added that SAA's decision to begin relaunching its long-haul service with São Paulo was based on rigorous analysis of the route's viability and that sustainability has been at the heart of SAA's approach since its restart,
The first SAA flight to São Paulo, Brazil is scheduled to depart from Cape Town next Tuesday, 31 October 2023. The first flight from Johannesburg will follow on 6 November 2023.
