South African Airways confirmed on Tuesday that it was in the process of cancelling and consolidating selected local and international flights, in part to save cash. It has vowed to re-accommodate local and international fliers.
In a statement the debt-laden national carrier said the decision was part of what it sees as a "responsible strategy to conserve cash and optimise its position ahead of any further capital investment". SAA went into voluntary business rescue in December.
The flag carrier said it would be reviewing further possible flight schedule amendments over the coming days.
- READ: SAA confirms details of cancelled flights - Here's what affected SAA ticket holders need to know
The decision to cancel the flights comes as the airline is still waiting to receive a promised R2bn in funding from National Treasury to help fund its business rescue proceedings. Last week Finance Minister Tito Mboweni told journalists at the sidelines of a pre-WEF breakfast, that Treasury was still "trying to find additional financing" for the airline. The department of public enterprises, meanwhile, said on Sunday that it was working with Treasury in an effort to raise the funds.
- These are the domestic flights the airline is cancelling
- These are the international flights the airline is cancelling
The airline said it would re-accommodate passengers on its services between Johannesburg and Frankfurt as well as London Heathrow. "Some passengers travelling to Munich, and others travelling via Munich to other destinations, will be re-accommodated for some of their journey on partner airlines in the Star Alliance to minimise delays," it said.
* More to come