South African Airways (SAA) together with its low cost carrier Mango have revealed changes to flights schedules between key South African cities.
According to Tim Clyde-Smith, SAA’s Country Manager for Australasia, the changes will mean greater efficiencies by better utilisation of aircraft and more competitive pricing offered to international visitors from Australia and New Zealand.
“Until now, SAA and Mango have offered separate flight schedules on often the same routes and whilst we’ve seen a level of cooperation between the two airlines before, never have we worked as closely as today,” Tim said.
“With the proposed new route schedules and fare availability, we’ve broadened the range of choice to customers while making it easier to access the best fares from either carrier,” he said.
“These changes result from further implementation of SAA’s turnaround strategy to maximise the most efficient use of our resources while maintaining Africa’s largest route network.”
“As an example, both SAA and Mango now offer 200 return flights per week between Johannesburg and Durban and 278 return flights per week between Johannesburg and Cape Town.”
“To achieve better use of resources while offering more choice to customers, both SAA and Mango will implement a new revised schedule from 15 January 2018.”
“Once fully implemented, Mango will operate 132 return flights on the Johannesburg – Durban route and 116 return flights on the Johannesburg – Cape Town route each week. SAA will operate 68 return flights between Johannesburg and Durban and 162 return flights between Johannesburg and Cape Town.”
“We’ll continue to offer customers the option to travel on the airline of their choice, making it much more convenient for them to choose their preferred service and schedule,” Tim said.
The changes will be reflected in all the SAA and Mango distribution systems with effect from 12 December 2017. Mango flights will operate on Boeing 737-800s and SAA will discontinue operating Airbus A340-600s on the Johannesburg- Cape Town route.
Members of Voyager, SAA’s frequent flyer program, will continue to earn Miles on Mango-operated flights if booked on the SAA code and will continue to enjoy the SAA baggage allowance, lounge access and a seamless transfer on to the regional and international network services of SAA. Voyager members can also spend their Miles on Mango-operated flights, by utilising Miles or a combination of Miles and a range of payment options.
Whilst a seamless booking change is anticipated, assistance will be provided to all ticketed passengers holding SAA tickets via any SAA call centre or through travel agents.
The following re-booking conditions apply:
- Customers can rebook onto another SAA flight for a later date at no extra charge, subject to availability in the same booking class.
- Change of cabin will not be permitted
- This policy is applicable to SAAA flights only, issued on SA (083) ticket stock on or before 12 December and not on separate tickets of other airlines
- Tickets must be re-issued on or before 31 December 2017.
