Editing South African Airways (section)

==History==
===Formation and early years===
[[File:Junkers-f13.jpg|thumb|SAA started operations with a number of acquired [[Union Airways]] aircraft, including the [[Junkers F.13]], similar to the one pictured.]]
[[File:ILA 20000007.JPG|thumb|The Douglas DC-4 Skymaster was introduced in May 1946, on which SAA's first [[In-flight entertainment|in-flight films]] were shown. This aircraft, registration ZS-AUB, is in Berlin (May 2000).]]
[[File:Lockheed L-749A ZS-DBR SAA LAP 30.05.53 edited-2.jpg|thumb|right|SAA [[Lockheed Constellation]] arriving at [[London Heathrow Airport|Heathrow]] in 1953]]
[[File:Heathrow Airport in 1977.jpg|thumb|An SAA [[Boeing 707]] sits alongside a [[BOAC]] [[Vickers VC10]] at [[London Heathrow Airport]] (1977).|alt=A South African Airways Boeing 707 in former orange, blue and white livery in the background at London Heathrow Airport, parked next to a BOAC Vickers VC10.]]

South African Airways was formed on 1 February 1934 following the rebranding and acquisition of [[Union Airways]] by the [[Government of South Africa|South African government]]. Forty staff members, along with one [[de Havilland DH.60 Moth|de Havilland DH.60 Gypsy Moth]], one [[de Havilland Puss Moth|de Havilland DH.80A Puss Moth]], three [[Junkers F.13]]s and a leased Junkers F13 and [[Junkers A50]] were among the acquired aircraft.<ref name="SAAMS">{{cite web |title=South African Airways: A Brief History |url=http://www.saamuseum.co.za/saa-history.html |access-date=17 December 2010 |publisher=SAA Museum Society |archive-date=11 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011010453/https://www.saamuseum.co.za/saa-history.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Upon acquisition, the government changed the airline's name to ''South African Airways''.<ref name="SAA_History">{{cite web |title=Brief history |url=http://www.flysaa.com/Journeys/cms/ZA/footer |publisher=South African Airways}}{{dead link|date=May 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> It then came under control of the South African Railways and Harbours Administration (now [[Transnet]]).<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=May |first=Daryl |date=28 April 1966 |title=SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1966/1966%20-%201219.html |magazine=[[Flight International]] |access-date=22 December 2010 |archive-date=3 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103102925/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1966/1966%20-%201219.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=SA_Goes_Ahead/> Charter operations started that year.<ref>{{cite web |title=History of Airlines: South African Airways |url=http://www.historycentral.com/aviation/airlines/SA.html |access-date=17 December 2010 |publisher=www.historycentral.com |archive-date=6 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306060100/http://www.historycentral.com/aviation/airlines/SA.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 1 February the following year, the [[Common carrier|carrier]] acquired Suidwes Lugdiens / South West Airways (now [[Air Namibia]]),<ref name=SAAMS/> which had since 1932 been providing a weekly air-mail service between [[Windhoek]] and [[Kimberley, Northern Cape|Kimberley]].<ref name="SA_Goes_Ahead">{{Cite magazine |date=9 January 1936 |title=SOUTH AFRICA GOES AHEAD |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1936/1936%20-%200086.html |magazine=Flight International |access-date=29 December 2010 |archive-date=3 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103115734/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1936/1936%20-%200086.html |url-status=live }}</ref> During this time, SAA ordered three [[Junkers Ju 52|Junkers Ju 52/3m]] aircraft, which were delivered in October 1934 and entered service 10 days later.<ref name=SAAMS/> These aircraft were configured to carry 14 passengers, along with four crew. They enabled thrice-weekly Durban–[[Johannesburg]] services, with weekly services on the [[Durban]]–[[East London, Eastern Cape|East London]]–[[Port Elizabeth]]–George/[[Mossel Bay]]–[[Cape Town]] route.<ref name=SAAMS/> On 1 July 1935, SAA moved its operations to Rand Airport as it became increasingly obvious that Johannesburg would become the country's aviation hub, which coincided with the launching of Rand–Durban–East London–Port Elizabeth–Cape Town services.<ref name=SAAMS/> From July the following year a weekly Rand–Kimberley–[[Beaufort West]]–Cape Town service commenced; in April 1936, all Rand–Cape Town services were taken over from [[Imperial Airways]].<ref name=SAAMS/> A fourth Ju 52/3m soon joined the fleet.

Orders for a further ten Ju 52/3m aircraft, along with eighteen [[Junkers Ju 86]]s and seven [[Airspeed Envoy]]s (four for the airline and three for the [[South African Air Force]]) were placed.<ref name=SAAMS/> This raised the number of Ju 52s to fourteen, although three older models were sold when deliveries of the newer Ju 52s began.<ref name=SAAMS/> The airline experienced a rapid expansion during this time, but also suffered its first accident; one of the newly delivered Ju 52s crashed after takeoff from Rand Airport in July 1937, with one reported fatality.<ref name=SAAMS/> From 1 February 1934 until the start of World War II, SAA carried 118,822 passengers, 3,278 tonnes of airmail and 248 tonnes of cargo, which were served by 418 employees.<ref name=SAAMS/> On 24 May 1940, all operations were suspended.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=May |first=Daryl |date=28 April 1966 |title=SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1966/1966%20-%201219.html |magazine=Flight International |access-date=23 December 2010 |archive-date=3 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103102925/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1966/1966%20-%201219.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Following World War II, frequencies were increased and more routes were opened, which necessitated the conversion of three [[South African Air Force]] Envoys to passenger layout.<ref name=SAAMS/> These aircraft would prove to be unsuitable for passenger and cargo services and were returned to the SAAF after the arrival of the Junkers Ju 86s. The main aircraft of SAA in the 1930s was the Junkers Ju 52. Other types used in the 1930s included eighteen Junkers Ju 86s, which served from 1937 onwards.

The slow growth continued during the 1940s, though the airline was effectively closed for the duration of [[World War II]]. In 1944, SAA began operating 28 [[Lockheed Model 18 Lodestar|Lockheed Lodestars]] to restart domestic services and by 1948 SAA operating nineteen examples. These were withdrawn in 1955.

On 10 November 1945, SAA achieved a longtime company goal by operating a route to Europe when an [[Avro York]] landed in [[Bournemouth]], England, after the long flight from [[Palmietfontein Airport]] near Johannesburg. These were replaced by the [[Douglas DC-4]] from 1946 onwards, which in turn was replaced by the [[Lockheed Constellation]] on international routes in 1950. Also of note in the postwar era was the DC-3 Dakota, of which eight served with SAA, the last example being withdrawn as late as 1970.<ref>{{cite web |title=Douglas DC-3 Dakota |url=http://www.saamuseum.co.za/our-aircraft/68-douglas-dc-3-dakota.html |access-date=2019-05-24 |website=www.saamuseum.co.za |archive-date=24 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524021700/http://www.saamuseum.co.za/our-aircraft/68-douglas-dc-3-dakota.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Growth: 1946–1952===
On 10 November 1945, the airline introduced its first intercontinental service, the 3-day ''Springbok Service'', operated by the [[Avro York]], which was routed Palmietfontein–Nairobi–Khartoum–Cairo–Castel Benito–Hurn Bournemouth.<ref name=SAAMS/> A weekly service was initially flown, but this later increased to 6 times weekly due to high passenger demand. The [[Douglas DC-4]] Skymaster debuted with SAA in May 1946 between Johannesburg and Cape Town, which coincided with the introduction of the [[Douglas DC-3]] on the Johannesburg–[[Durban]] route.<ref name=SAAMS/>

From 1946, passengers and cargo carried increased, along with the size of SAA's fleet and staff. As the Skymasters arrived, out went the Avro Yorks, back to [[BOAC]].<ref name=SAAMS/> [[Flight attendant|Air hostesses]] were introduced in September 1946: at first on domestic routes, then on ''Springbok Services''. The two [[de Havilland Dove]]s were introduced at the end of the year; these aircraft were utilised on internal services for a short time and were sold within a few years.<ref name=SAAMS/> The 28-seat [[Vickers Viking]] served the airline briefly, before being sold to [[British European Airways]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2017}}

[[Palmietfontein Airport]] replaced [[Rand Airport]] as SAA's hub in 1948. In June 1948, SAA began to show films on its Skymaster aircraft.<ref name=SAAMS/> SAA received four [[Lockheed Constellation]]s, its first pressurised aircraft, in August 1950. They provided scheduled service to London's Heathrow airport. Initially, the route from Johannesburg was flown via Nairobi, Khartoum and Rome. The Constellation's higher speed and longer range enabled fewer stops and greatly reduced the flying time to London.<ref>Marson, 1982, pp. 244-245</ref>

===The Jet Age: 1953–1973===
The jet age arrived in South Africa on 3 May 1952 when a [[BOAC]] [[de Havilland Comet]] arrived in Palmietfontein after a 24-hour journey from England with five refuelling stops en route. SAA chartered two Comets from the British airline on 4 October 1953, when Comet G-ANAV left London for Johannesburg.<ref name=SAAMS/> On the same day, ''Tourist Class'' was introduced on the 58-seat Lockheed Constellation used on the Springbok Service. The two chartered aircraft sported both BOAC and SAA titles and logos, but were operated by SAA crews.

In 1956 Suid-Afrikaanse Lugdiens introduced the [[Douglas DC-7]]B, capable of long-[[Range (aircraft)|range]] operations and then probably the fastest [[piston-engine]] airliner in the world. SAA exploited the aircraft's performance by introducing it between Johannesburg and London with only one fuelling stop at [[Khartoum]].<ref name=SAAMS/> This was known as the ''East Coast express'', taking 21 hours to complete,<ref name=SAAMS/> versus BOAC's inaugural Comet flight between the two cities of 24 hours. This later became the ''West Coast express'' when the [[wikt:technical stop|technical stop]] at Khartoum was transferred to [[Kano (city)|Kano]], Nigeria, resulting in a shortened flying of 18 hours.<ref>In January 1958 the weekly DC-7B took 20 hr 10 min Heathrow to Johannesburg including the one-hour Kano stop.</ref> The fortnightly [[Wallaby Route]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=South African Airways: Wings of the Rainbow Nation |url=https://www.key.aero/article/south-african-airways-wings-rainbow-nation |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=www.key.aero |date=23 January 2020 |language=en |archive-date=28 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428045033/https://www.key.aero/article/south-african-airways-wings-rainbow-nation |url-status=live }}</ref> routed [[Johannesburg]]–Mauritius–[[Cocos Islands]]–[[Perth]], Australia, started in November 1957.<ref name=SAAMS/>

After a host of accidents involving SAA's and other airlines' Comets, the airline ordered three [[Boeing 707|Boeing 707-320]] ''Intercontinentals'' on 21 February 1958, with the first delivered on 1 July 1960.<ref>{{cite web |title=707 Model Summary |url=http://active.boeing.com/commercial/orders/displaystandardreport.cfm?cboCurrentModel=707&optReportType=AllModels&cboAllModel=707&ViewReportF=View+Report |access-date=10 December 2010 |publisher=Boeing Commercial Airplanes |archive-date=4 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904102020/http://active.boeing.com/commercial/orders/displaystandardreport.cfm?cboCurrentModel=707&optReportType=AllModels&cboAllModel=707&ViewReportF=View+Report |url-status=dead }}</ref> Three months after arrival, on 1 October 1960, the Boeing 707 was deployed on the airline's flagship ''Springbok Service'', trimming the flying time to London to 13 hours.<ref name=SAAMS/> Other changes brought about by the 707 were a livery change, to an orange tail with blue and white markings,<ref name=SAAMS/> as well as improved comfort, range and speed. A 707 replaced the DC-7B on the Wallaby Route in 1967; Cocos Islands was dropped, while [[Sydney Airport|Sydney]] became the terminus. Flights to New York, via [[Rio de Janeiro]], started on 23 February 1969 using a 707.<ref name=SAAMS/> The first 707 of SAA landed in Europe in October 1961 with a nine-hour flight to [[Athens]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2017}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.flightlineweekly.com/post/south-african-airways-history-of-the-flying-springbok | title=South African Airways – History of the Flying Springbok | date=24 November 2020 }}</ref>

The jets arrived during a period when most African countries, except SA's neighbours, denied South African airlines the use of their [[airspace]], necessitating long detours.<ref>{{cite journal|first=G. H.|last=Pirie|title=Aviation, Apartheid and Sanctions: Air Transport to and from South Africa,1945—1989|journal=GeoJournal|volume=22|year=1990|issue=3|pages=231–40|doi=10.1007/BF00192821|bibcode=1990GeoJo..22..231P |s2cid=154691990}}</ref> In 1967 the Skymasters, Constellations and DC-7Bs were being retired, replaced by the [[Boeing 727]] [[trijet]] the following year to complement the Boeing 707. The choice of 727 was based on the geography of the destinations to which it would fly; for example [[OR Tambo International Airport|Johannesburg]] is {{Convert|1694|m|ft}} [[hot and high|high and hot]], where the 727's wings and other technical capabilities enable it to operate out of such airports.

{{Rail freight
|title='''Revenue passenger-kilometers, scheduled flights only (millions)'''
|float=left
|1950|197
|1955|331
|1960|489
|1965|1,144
|1969|2,168
|1971|3,070
|1975|5,942
|1980|8,843
|1985|8,683
|2000|19,321
|source=ICAO Digest of Statistics for 1950–55, IATA World Air Transport Statistics 1960–2000
}}

On 13 March 1968, SAA ordered five [[Boeing 747|Boeing 747-200Bs]].<ref name="747_O_D_Summ">{{cite web |title=747 Model Summary |url=http://active.boeing.com/commercial/orders/displaystandardreport.cfm?cboCurrentModel=747&optReportType=AllModels&cboAllModel=747&ViewReportF=View+Report |access-date=22 December 2010 |publisher=Boeing |archive-date=3 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903212126/http://active.boeing.com/commercial/orders/displaystandardreport.cfm?cboCurrentModel=747&optReportType=AllModels&cboAllModel=747&ViewReportF=View+Report |url-status=dead }}</ref> The first, ''Lebombo'' (registered as [http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?regsearch=ZS-SAN&distinct_entry=true ZS-SAN]), was delivered on 22 October 1971 after a 3-stop flight from [[Seattle]].<ref name=747_O_D_Summ/><ref>{{cite web |title="Lebombo" Boeing 747-244B ZS-SAN: c/n 20239 |url=http://www.saamuseum.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=43&Itemid=71 |access-date=22 December 2010 |publisher=South African Airways Museum – saamuseum.co.za |archive-date=22 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100822184437/http://www.saamuseum.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=43&Itemid=71 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was placed into service in December and proved very popular. SAA eventually operated 23 brand-new "Jumbo Jets", including the −200M (first delivered in 1980), −300 (1983), −400, and the long-range [[Boeing 747SP]], first delivered on 18–19 March 1976, with a nonstop delivery flight of ZS-SPA from Everett, Washington, USA to Cape Town.<ref name=747_O_D_Summ/> The 747SP, especially, was acquired to overcome the refusal of many countries to allow SAA to use their airspace by exploiting its long-range capabilities, as well as to serve lower-density routes which were unsuited to the 747-200.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=BELSON |first=JOHN |date=21 August 1976 |title=Boeing s Special Performer |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1976/1976%20-%201575.html |magazine=Flight International |access-date=31 December 2010 |archive-date=3 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103120852/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1976/1976%20-%201575.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Six were delivered starting 19 March 1976.<ref name=747_O_D_Summ/> As above, to demonstrate the 747SP's performance, the first one was delivered from Seattle to Cape Town non-stop, an airliner distance record that stood until 1989.<ref name=SAAMS/> The first 747SP arrived in South Africa on 19 March 1976.<ref name=747_O_D_Summ/> As the 747 entered service, its smaller siblings, the 707s, were converted to combi (passenger/cargo) configurations and high-density seating.<ref name=SAAMS/> All of SAA's [[Vickers Viscount]]s were sold by March 1972 after being replaced by [[Boeing 737]]s.<ref name=SAAMS/>

===Expansion: 1974–1983===
[[File:Logo of the Suid-Afrikaanse Lugdiens (1971–1997).png|thumb|The SAA logo from 1971 to 1997. SAL is an abbreviation of the airlines' former [[Afrikaans]] name, ''Suid-Afrikaanse Lugdiens''.]]
SAA opened a route to Asia, with [[Boeing 707]] flights to [[Kai Tak International Airport|Hong Kong]] via an intermediate stop at the [[Seychelles Islands]] in June 1974.<ref name=SAAMS/> In 1980, SAA began nonstop flights to [[Chiang Kai Shek International Airport|Taipei]] using a Boeing 747SP; [[Mauritius]] had earlier replaced the Seychelles for the Hong Kong service. South Africa became one of the few countries in the world to [[Foreign relations of Taiwan|recognize]] the government of the [[Republic of China on Taiwan]].

Because some African countries denied SAA the use of their airspace, SAA bypassed the 'bulge' of Africa, usually via [[Amilcar Cabral International Airport|Ilha do Sal]] - a detour of almost {{convert|3000|km}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Johannesburg - Ilha do Sal - Amsterdam |url=http://www.gcmap.com/mapui?P=jnb-sid-ams&MS=bm&DU=km |access-date=2013-07-24 |website=Great Circle Mapper |archive-date=26 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826000556/http://www.gcmap.com/mapui?P=jnb-sid-ams&MS=bm&DU=km |url-status=live }}</ref> Another bypass was via [[Tel Aviv]], which doubled the distance and flying time involved.<ref>{{Cite book |last=A. J. Christopher |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=07fQ-2U_73sC&pg=PA174 |title=The Atlas of Changing South Africa |publisher=Routledge Press |year=2001 |isbn=978-0-415-21178-9 |page=174}}</ref> European airlines were allowed to fly over Africa when flying to South Africa, usually via [[Jomo Kenyatta International Airport|Nairobi]] and later nonstop.

On 26 December 1980, the last South African Airways Boeing 707 service was operated between Paris and Johannesburg. Its touchdown ended the 20-year career of the 707. The quadjet was replaced by the world's first [[Wide-body aircraft|wide-body]] twinjet, the [[Airbus A300]], which had entered revenue service in 1976.<ref name=SAAMS/> The 727s were eliminated by 1983, replaced by the more economical [[Boeing 737]].<ref name=SAAMS/> When countries withdrew landing rights for SAA, the airline leased its aircraft and crews to Canada, Mauritius, Brazil, Morocco and Luxembourg.

===Effect of apartheid: 1985–1990===
Due to international opposition to [[apartheid]] during the 1980s, SAA's offices were attacked. In Harare, Zimbabwe, its offices were badly damaged after protesters went on a rampage.<ref>[https://apnews.com/96fa7391e2061f8e2bbfda8dea8b4694 Thousands Rampage Through Harare, Upset Over Machel's Death] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219024746/https://apnews.com/96fa7391e2061f8e2bbfda8dea8b4694 |date=19 December 2020 }}, ''[[Associated Press]]'', 21 October 1986</ref>

The US [[Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act]] of 1986 banned all flights by South African–owned carriers, including SAA. In 1987, SAA's services to Perth and Sydney in Australia were ended, in light of the Australian Government's opposition to apartheid.<ref>Pirie, G.H. Aviation, apartheid and sanctions: air transport to and from South Africa, 1945–1989.''GeoJournal'', 22 (1990), 231–240.</ref> 

In January 1992, the journal of the [[Royal Aeronautical Society]] (RAeS) reported that the SAA had allegedly confirmed that its passenger jets had carried cargo for [[Armscor (South Africa)|Armscor]], a South African arms manufacturer, in an attempt to circumvent a [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 418|UN arms embargo]] placed on apartheid South Africa.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WkxKAQAAIAAJ |title=Aerospace |date=January 1992 |publisher=[[Royal Aeronautical Society]] |volume=19 |page=4}}</ref> On 28 November 1987, [[South African Airways Flight 295]], a [[Boeing 747]]-200 Combi en route from [[Taipei]] to Johannesburg with a stopover in Mauritrius experienced a catastrophic in-flight fire in the cargo area, broke up in mid-air, and crashed into the Indian Ocean east of Mauritius, killing all 159 people on board.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Watt |first=Ronnie |title=Helderberg Death Flight SA 295 |date=10 February 2009 |publisher=Southern}}</ref> Ignition of an [[ammonium perchlorate]] cargo, a chemical used as a missile propellant, is theorized by forensic scientists to have caused the fire.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Klatzow |first=David |title=Steeped in Blood: The Life and Times of a Forensic Scientist |publisher=Zebra Press |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-86872-922-7 |location=Cape Town, South Africa |pages=172,177,189}}</ref>

[[File:SAA B747-444 ZS-SAW (6354345825).jpg|alt=A Boeing 747-400 "ZS-SAW" painted in the pre–1997 orange, blue and white livery, and featuring the Afrikaans name of the airline SAL (Suid-Afrikaanse Lugdiens).|thumb|A Boeing 747-400 "ZS-SAW" painted in the pre–1997 orange, blue and white livery, and featuring the Afrikaans name of the airline SAL (Suid-Afrikaanse Lugdiens) (1998)]]
[[File:ZS-SPC Boeing 747-SP South African Airways (14912965198).jpg|thumb|A [[Boeing 747SP]] (2001) (now on display at the South African Airways Museum at [[Rand Airport]])|alt=A Boeing 747SP, a shortened Boeing 747-100. The aircraft's engines feature prominently.]]
With the demise of apartheid in 1990, SAA started services to former and new destinations in Africa and Asia.<ref>Pirie, G.H., Southern African air transport after apartheid. ''Journal of Modern African Studies'', 30 (1992), 341–348.</ref><ref>Pirie, G.H. 'Africanisation' of South Africa's international air links, 1994–2003. ''Journal of Transport Geography'', 14 (2006), 3–14</ref> On 1 June 1990, South African companies signed a domestic air travel deregulation act. Flights to New York City's [[John F. Kennedy International Airport]] resumed in November 1991<ref>{{Cite news |last=Beveridge |first=Dirk |date=9 November 1991 |title=South Africa resumes flights to N.Y. |work=The Pittsburgh Press |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZOUcAAAAIBAJ&pg=5385,5494024&dq=south+african+airways+resumes+new+york&hl=en |access-date=24 December 2010 |archive-date=5 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205070932/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZOUcAAAAIBAJ&pg=5385,5494024&dq=south+african+airways+resumes+new+york&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> and SAA's planes were able to fly for the first time over Egypt and Sudan, on 8 September.<ref name="Springbok springs back">{{citation |title=Article: The Springbok springs back. (South African Airways) (Company Profile) |url=|access-date=}}</ref> The airline launched flights to Milan on 1 June during the year, and services to Athens were re-introduced.<ref name="Springbok springs back" /> Also, an interline with [[Aeroflot]] was established.

The first of SAA's eight [[Boeing 747-400]]s, named ''Durban'', arrived in South Africa on 19 January 1991.<ref name=747_O_D_Summ/> The airplane was unusual in that two different [[turbofan]] engines were operated. Six [[Rolls-Royce RB211|Rolls-Royce RB211-524H]]-powered examples were ordered; the other two, part of an unfulfilled [[Philippine Airlines]] order, had [[General Electric CF6|General Electric CF6-80C2B5Fs]].<ref name=747_O_D_Summ/> [[Wingtip device|Winglets]], structural changes and [[Fuel efficiency|fuel-efficient]] engines enabled these aircraft to [[Non-stop flight|fly non-stop]] from South Africa to the east coast of the United States. The arrival of Boeing's newest jumbo jet perhaps overshadowed the acquisition by SAA of the world's first commercial [[fly-by-wire]] airliner, the [[Airbus A320 family|Airbus A320]], to assist and enhance services within the country and on regional services.<ref name=SAAMS/> [[Boeing 767]]s arrived in August, 1993<ref name=SAAMS/> and flew on African, Southern European and Middle Eastern routes. They were retired within ten years.

During 1992, SAA began flights to Miami with a Cape Town to [[Miami International Airport]] nonstop Boeing 747-400 route, and re-entered Australia, flying nonstop to Perth with a same-day return "shuttle" service to Sydney. This year also saw codesharing agreements with [[American Airlines]]<ref name=SAA_PTY_LTD/> and [[Air Tanzania]]. There were nonstop flights to [[Don Muang International Airport|Bangkok]] and [[Singapore Changi Airport|Singapore]]; the latter were discontinued by 1996. The airline Alliance, a partnership between SAA, [[Uganda Airlines (1976–2001)|Uganda Airlines]] and [[Air Tanzania]], also began. SAA greeted its passengers in four different languages during domestic flights: English, [[Afrikaans language|Afrikaans]], [[Zulu language|Zulu]], and [[Sotho language|Sotho]], while passengers on international flights were also greeted in the destination's language.

On 24 April 1994, [[South African Express]] (SA Express), a feeder airline service of South African, began operating<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us |url=http://www.flyexpress.aero/about-us.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819175943/http://www.flyexpress.aero/about-us.html |archive-date=19 August 2010 |access-date=24 December 2010 |publisher=SA Express |df=dmy-all}}</ref> after a 3-year preparation process begun in 1991, when the [[regional airline]] was granted its operating license. SAA initially held a 20% stake in SA Express (Alliance Airline Holdings held 51%, SA Enterprises, 24.9% and Abyss Investments, 4.1%).<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Daly |first=Kieran |date=1–7 June 1994 |title=BRAVE NEW WORLD |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1994/1994%20-%201370.html |magazine=Flight International |access-date=24 December 2010 |archive-date=3 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103105801/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1994/1994%20-%201370.html |url-status=live }}</ref> SA Express took over some of SAA's low-density domestic routes.

In 1995, [[Lufthansa]] started a codesharing agreement with SAA, and SAA commissioned Diefenbach Elkins and Herdbuoys to lead its change of image.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1996/01/09/business/the-media-business-advertising.html THE MEDIA BUSINESS; Advertising] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812023247/http://www.nytimes.com/1996/01/09/business/the-media-business-advertising.html |date=12 August 2017 }}, ''[[The New York Times]]'', January 9, 1996</ref> SAA's Voyager and [[American Airlines]]' AAdvantage frequent flier clubs joined.

As of April 1996, South African employed 11,100 people, of whom 3,100 were engineers.<ref name="WAD_SAA">{{cite web |date=3–9 April 1996 |title=World Airline Directory: South African Airways (SAA) [SA] |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1996/1996%20-%200817.html |access-date=29 December 2010 |website=[[Flight International]] |archive-date=3 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103115846/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1996/1996%20-%200817.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It owned and operated 48 aircraft,<ref name=WAD_SAA/> and served 34 destinations from its [[Airline hub|hubs]] at Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg.

===Rebranding: 1997–2005===
[[File:South African Airways B747-300 (ZS-SAJ) at Perth Airport (2).jpg|thumb|[[Boeing 747-300]] ''Ndizani'' at [[Perth Airport]] (2003)]]
In 1997, SAA replaced the [[Springbok Antelope|Springbok]] emblem and the old [[national colours]] of orange, white and blue with a new livery based upon the new national flag, with a sun motif. The airline's name on its aircraft retained the [[Afrikaans]] name ''Suid-Afrikaanse Lugdiens''. As a symbol of the new rainbow nation following the release of [[Nelson Mandela]], one of SAA's 747-300s, named ''Ndizani'' (registration ZS-SAJ), was painted in bright colours.<ref>{{cite web |title=Photo Search Results |url=http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?regsearch=ZS-SAJ&distinct_entry=true |access-date=24 April 2015 |archive-date=4 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904102020/http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?regsearch=ZS-SAJ&distinct_entry=true |url-status=live }}</ref> This special-liveried 747-300 transported South African athletes to the [[1996 Summer Olympics]] in [[Atlanta]].<ref>{{cite web |last=David Parker Brown |date=10 June 2010 |title=Guest Blog: First-hand perspective on airlines in South Africa |url=http://www.airlinereporter.com/?s=Kulula |access-date=24 December 2010 |publisher=Airlinereporter.com |archive-date=13 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613155521/http://www.airlinereporter.com/?s=Kulula |url-status=live }}</ref> The airline started online ticket sales and formed an alliance with [[SA Airlink]] and [[SA Express]].

In 1998, services to [[Copenhagen Airport]] were stopped. A new airline president and CEO, Coleman Andrews, was appointed. The arrival of the American saw a comprehensive and controversial overhaul of the airline, changing the management of SAA. Mr Andrews was hired by Transnet, the state-owned [[parent company]], to remedy the problem of dwindling passengers, which Transnet's market research had revealed was caused by "failure to fly on time, unfriendly and minimally-trained staff, poor food and SAA fares being 12–25% above its competitors".<ref>{{cite web |last=Chalmers |first=Robyn |date=31 May 2001 |title=South Africa: The Amazing Coleman Andrews Story |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200105310198.html |access-date=24 December 2010 |publisher=AllAfrica.com |archive-date=18 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018070349/http://allafrica.com/stories/200105310198.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He was credited with rescuing [[World Airways]] from the brink of bankruptcy earlier in the decade.<ref name="SAA_PTY_LTD">{{cite web |title=SAA (Pty) Ltd. |url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/SAA-Pty-Ltd-Company-History.html |access-date=7 January 2011 |publisher=FundingUniverse.com |archive-date=15 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110215045325/http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/SAA-Pty-Ltd-Company-History.html |url-status=live }}</ref> During his first 18 months as CEO, South African Airways' market value increased fivefold.<ref>{{cite web |title=Coleman Andrews |url=http://investing.businessweek.com/businessweek/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=32900405&privcapId=32280519&previousCapId=135144&previousTitle=RHODIA%20SA |access-date=1 January 2011 |publisher=Bloomberg}}{{dead link|date=April 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

In June 1999, Transnet entered into a sale agreement with Swissair in which Transnet sold 20% of its shareholding in SAA to Swissair for R1.4 billion and also included an option to sell and transfer a further 10% to Swissair, thereby increasing its stake to 30%.<ref>[http://www.dpe.gov.za/newsroom/Pages/SAA-Reacquisition-of-20-Shares-Held-by-Swissair.aspx SAA Reacquisition of 20% Shares Held by Swissair] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201032202/http://www.dpe.gov.za/newsroom/Pages/SAA-Reacquisition-of-20-Shares-Held-by-Swissair.aspx |date=1 December 2017 }}, [[Department of Public Enterprises]], [[Government of South Africa]], 21 November 2001</ref> In 2002, the South African government repurchased the shares.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1820503.stm Swissair sells back South African stake] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015135125/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1820503.stm |date=15 October 2013 }}, [[BBC News Online|BBC News]], 14 February 2002</ref>

Swissair's costly purchases of SAA's and many other large international airlines' shares led directly to its own shocking bankruptcy filing, on 1 April 2002.

In 2000, SAA ordered 21 [[737-800|Boeing 737-800s]], reportedly worth US$680&nbsp;million.<ref name=2002_Order/> Five [[CFM International CFM56|CFM 56-7B27]]-powered examples were requested outright from [[Boeing]], the rest from other parties.<ref>{{cite web |title=737 Model Summary |url=http://active.boeing.com/commercial/orders/displaystandardreport.cfm?cboCurrentModel=737&optReportType=AllModels&cboAllModel=737&ViewReportF=View+Report |access-date=27 December 2010 |publisher=Boeing |archive-date=21 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121013435/http://active.boeing.com/commercial/orders/displaystandardreport.cfm?cboCurrentModel=737&optReportType=AllModels&cboAllModel=737&ViewReportF=View+Report |url-status=dead }}</ref> The 737s were to be deployed on short-haul routes, replacing Airbus A300s and A320s.<ref name="Boeing_737_order">{{Cite press release |title=South African Airways Chooses Boeing 737s For Fleet Renewal |date=1 March 2000 |publisher=Boeing |location=Seattle |url=http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2000/news_release_000301a.html |access-date=27 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110114113413/http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2000/news_release_000301a.html |archive-date=14 January 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The 737 order was followed by an Airbus order in 2002. Under CEO Andre Viljoen, South African Airways requested [[Airbus]] to overhaul its fleet at a cost of US$3.5&nbsp;billion in March 2002, taking advantage of a slump in the order books of both Boeing and Airbus.<ref name="2002_Order">{{Cite news |date=7 March 2002 |title=South Africa to buy Airbuses |publisher=CNN |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2002/BUSINESS/03/07/airbus/ |access-date=24 December 2010 |archive-date=13 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110113191627/http://edition.cnn.com/2002/BUSINESS/03/07/airbus/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[airline industry]] was still staggering after the [[September 11 attacks]] in the US, which led to new aircraft orders either being deferred, or cancelled altogether. SAA was in a buyers' market and the demise of [[Swissair]], which had A340-600s about to be delivered, effected Airbus clinching the SAA deal. This was part of a bigger order that covered 11 A319s, 15 A320s, nine A340-600s and six A340-300s.<ref name=2002_Order/> Three of the [[Airbus A340|A340-600]] aircraft came from [[International Lease Finance Corporation]] (ILFC). The new [[Airbus A319]]s replaced the aging [[737-200|Boeing 737-200]] fleet, but the [[Boeing 737 Next Generation|Boeing 737-800s]] continued in service because SAA cancelled its A320 order before any aircraft were delivered.<ref name=2002_Order/>

Later that year, South African Airways made a successful bid for a 49% stake in [[Air Tanzania]]. The move highlighted SAA's wish to gain a foothold in eastern Africa. The bid was worth $20&nbsp;million, and was SAA's first acquisition of a foreign airline.<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 October 2002 |title=Air Tanzania attracts $20m bid |publisher=BBC |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/2306247.stm |access-date=27 December 2010 |archive-date=17 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090917102854/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/2306247.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mande |first=Mike |date=9 December 2002 |title=Tanzania: Air Tanzania Finally Sold to SAA for $20m |publisher=AllAfrica.com |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200212100507.html |access-date=27 December 2010 |archive-date=18 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018070358/http://allafrica.com/stories/200212100507.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The merger failed in 2006, when new SAA management felt that the arrangement was fruitless.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 February 2006 |title=SAA to get out of Air Tanzania 'blunder' |publisher=Business Report |url=http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3117138 |access-date=14 March 2007 |archive-date=1 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081001220823/http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3117138 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:SAA BusinessClass.jpg|thumb|"New" Business Class seat on display in 2006]]

On 1 February 2000, South African Airways and [[Delta Air Lines]] started to codeshare on SAA-operated nonstop Boeing 747-400 flights from Atlanta to Johannesburg,<ref>{{cite web|date=1999-11-28|title=Yahoo - Delta Air Lines, South African Airways to Codeshare On Flights from Atlanta, New York to Johannesburg|url=https://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/990930/ga_delta_s_2.html|access-date=2021-08-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991128122124/https://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/990930/ga_delta_s_2.html|archive-date=28 November 1999}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=January 10, 2000|title=Deal with Delta Air Lines Gets the Go-Ahead|work=Business Day|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SQomAQAAMAAJ&q=deal+with+delta+air+lines+gets+the+go-ahead&pg=RA5-PA1|access-date=August 3, 2021}}</ref> with return flights operated via Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Florida due to range limitations caused by the 5,557-foot altitude at Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport.

In 2001, South African Airways won the ''Best Cargo Airline to Africa'' award from Air Cargo News – (even though South African is mainly a passenger airline) – and South African Airways signed a codesharing agreement with [[Nigeria Airways]] to provide service from the United States to [[Lagos]] using South African Airways 747s (this codeshare agreement is no longer in effect, and SAA's flights to/from the United States no longer stop in Nigeria). The airline earned a spot on the [[Zagat Survey]]'s top-ten international airlines list, opened a new website and named Andre Viljoen as chief executive officer (CEO).

In March 2004, South African Airways announced its application to join [[Star Alliance]]. The [[airline alliance]] accepted its application in June, with SAA joining as a full member in April 2006.

In July 2004, Andre Viljoen resigned as CEO of SAA. In August 2004, Khaya Ngqula was appointed as CEO of SAA. A new chairman, Professor [[Jakes Gerwel]], was appointed in the same month.

In 2005, SAA became the first non-Saudi airline to fly a direct [[Hadj]] service to [[Medina]] in Saudi Arabia.

In July 2005, SAA started a four times weekly [[Johannesburg]]-[[Accra]]-Washington, D.C. service with a Boeing 747-400. Service was increased to daily flights in July 2006, and the 747-400 was replaced by an Airbus A340-600. Because SAA could not obtain rights to fly passengers between [[Ghana]] and the US, [[Dakar]] replaced Accra as the intermediate stop. In 2010, SAA retired the last of its 747-400 fleet.

On 6 June 2006, the codeshare agreement between South African Airways and [[Delta Air Lines]] was terminated because of the airlines' memberships in rival alliances ([[Star Alliance]] and [[SkyTeam]] respectively).

===Restructuring and Star Alliance: 2006–2011===
[[File:South African Logo.svg|thumb|right|South African Airways logo used until 2019]]

The South African government's plans called for the separation of South African Airways and its parent company Transnet. The deadline was moved from 2005 to 31 March 2006.<ref>{{cite web |date=20 October 2005 |title=SAA-Transnet split awaits new laws |url=http://www.pprune.org/african-aviation/195071-saa-transnet-split-awaits-new-laws.html |access-date=29 December 2010 |publisher=PPrune.org |archive-date=18 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918202711/http://www.pprune.org/african-aviation/195071-saa-transnet-split-awaits-new-laws.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:south.african.b747-400.zs-sax.arp.jpg|thumb|A [[Boeing 747-400]] (ZS-SAX) at [[London Heathrow Airport]] in the old colour scheme. This type of aircraft was permanently retired in 2010.]]

SAA joined [[Star Alliance]] on 10 April 2006,<ref name="SA_Welcomes_SAA">{{Cite press release |title=First African airline to join an alliance |date=10 June 2006 |publisher=Star Alliance |url=http://www.staralliance.com/en/press/southafricajoins-prp/ |access-date=29 December 2010 |archive-date=25 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725124412/http://www.staralliance.com/en/press/southafricajoins-prp/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=11 April 2006 |title=South African Airways joins Star Alliance |publisher=AsiaTravelTips.com |url=http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news06/114-SouthAfrican.shtml |access-date=29 December 2010 |archive-date=5 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305042417/http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news06/114-SouthAfrican.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> becoming the first African airline to join Star Alliance.<ref>{{Cite news |title=SAA joins Star Alliance network |publisher=21 April 2006 |url=http://www.economist.com.na/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12899:saa-joins-star-alliance-network&catid=554:archives |access-date=29 December 2010 |archive-date=16 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716152016/http://www.economist.com.na/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12899:saa-joins-star-alliance-network&catid=554:archives |url-status=live }}</ref> To celebrate the occasion, and as a condition of entry, one Airbus A340-600 (registration ZS-SNC) and one Boeing 737-800 (registration ZS-SJV) were repainted in Star Alliance livery.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 March 2006 |title=SAA changes livery for Star Alliance |publisher=IAfrica.com |url=http://travel.iafrica.com/flights/976529.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=29 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712235851/http://travel.iafrica.com/flights/976529.htm |archive-date=12 July 2011 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> South African Airways fulfilled 53 requirements during the accession process.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gearing for growth – Annual Report 2006 |url=https://www.flysaa.com/pv_obj_cache/pv_obj_id_1B8B0B83F5E36DB79084D75DCF8F38A0C9D61900/filename/SAA_annualreport2006_opt.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231232909/https://www.flysaa.com/pv_obj_cache/pv_obj_id_1B8B0B83F5E36DB79084D75DCF8F38A0C9D61900/filename/SAA_annualreport2006_opt.pdf |archive-date=31 December 2010 |access-date=1 January 2011 |publisher=South African Airways |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In May 2007, SAA launched an 18-month comprehensive restructuring programme<ref name="Restructuring_plan">{{Cite news |date=4 June 2007 |title=SAA to Embark on Airline Restructuring Plan |work=Reuters |location=Johannesburg |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKL0477830420070604 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201055058/http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKL0477830420070604 |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 February 2013 |access-date=1 December 2010}}</ref> which aimed to make the airline profitable. According to then-CEO Khaya Ngqula, this came largely after "uncompetitive ownership and aircraft lease costs, excessive head count and fuel price volatility". The programme involved: the spin-off of businesses into seven subsidiaries,<ref name=Restructuring_plan/> thereby allowing SAA to concentrate on its core business of passenger and cargo transport; grounding SAA's Boeing 747-400 fleet;<ref name=Restructuring_plan/> rationalising international routes (Paris was dropped altogether); the axing of 30% of the airline's managers;<ref>{{Cite news |title=SAA to overhaul business model |publisher=Mmegi.bw |url=http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=31&aid=21&dir=2007/June/Wednesday6 |access-date=1 January 2011 |archive-date=29 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829015230/http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=31&aid=21&dir=2007/June/Wednesday6 |url-status=live }}</ref> among other reductions. This was expected to save the airline R2.7&nbsp;billion (US$378.2&nbsp;million).<ref name=Restructuring_plan/> By June 2009, R2.5&nbsp;billion had been saved.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 June 2009 |title=Restructuring saves SAA R2,5-billion |publisher=Mail&Guardian Online |url=http://www.mg.co.za/article/2009-06-02-restructuring-saves-saa-r25billion |access-date=1 January 2011 |archive-date=16 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616080843/http://www.mg.co.za/article/2009-06-02-restructuring-saves-saa-r25billion |url-status=live }}</ref>

Two retired 747-400s were reactivated in 2008 for flights to [[Lagos]], and by 2010 [[Luanda]] as well.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Sobie |first=Brendan |date=30 October 2008 |title=SAA reintroduces 747-400s |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/10/30/318179/saa-reintroduces-747-400s.html |magazine=Flight International |access-date=30 December 2010 |archive-date=19 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100919151913/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/10/30/318179/saa-reintroduces-747-400s.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 20 June 2008, the [[Association of Tennis Professionals]] (ATP) agreed to extend South African Airways' [[Sponsor (commercial)|sponsorship]] of the organisation another 3 and a half years. This extension succeeded two years of co-operation that "have seen a successful partnership blossom between SAA and the ATP".<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 June 2008 |title=South African Airways Extends $20m ATP Sponsorship |publisher=Sportbusiness.com |url=http://www.sportbusiness.com/news/167030/south-african-airways-extends-20m-atp-sponsorship |url-status=dead |access-date=30 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310054631/http://www.sportbusiness.com/news/167030/south-african-airways-extends-20m-atp-sponsorship |archive-date=10 March 2012 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> The deal was worth $20&nbsp;million, and ran until the end of 2012. On the same day it was announced that a new ATP World Tour tournament would be held in South Africa in 2009. In 2010, the company sought to recover $4&nbsp;million from then-CEO Khaya Ngqula, for allegedly spending the money on his friends and awarding business deals with organisations and individuals in which he had an interest. Among them are [[Association of Tennis Professionals|ATP]] and [[professional golfer]] [[Ángel Cabrera]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wild |first=Franz |date=21 July 2010 |title=South African Airways Seeks to Recover $4&nbsp;Million From Former CEO Ngqula |publisher=Bloomberg |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-07-20/south-african-airways-seeks-to-recover-4-million-from-former-ceo-ngqula.html |access-date=30 December 2010 |archive-date=22 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722041010/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-07-20/south-african-airways-seeks-to-recover-4-million-from-former-ceo-ngqula.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In February 2010, the airline appointed Siza Mzimela as its first female CEO. She replaced Khaya Ngqula,<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 February 2010 |title=South African Airways appoints new CEO |publisher=Mail&Guardian Online |url=http://www.mg.co.za/article/2010-02-24-south-african-airways-appoints-new-ceo |access-date=30 December 2010 |archive-date=27 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100227093315/http://www.mg.co.za/article/2010-02-24-south-african-airways-appoints-new-ceo |url-status=live }}</ref> who was accused of mismanagement and therefore quit. Mzimela was previously CEO of SAA's domestic partner airline, [[South African Express]] (SA Express). On 1 April 2010 she took over the position from Chris Smyth,<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 February 2010 |title=South African Airways welcomes new CEO |publisher=eTravelBlackborad.com |url=http://www.etravelblackboard.com/showarticle.asp?id=102284&nav=28 |access-date=30 December 2010 |archive-date=8 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308025726/http://www.etravelblackboard.com/showarticle.asp?id=102284&nav=28 |url-status=live }}</ref> the acting CEO since Khaya Ngqula left in March 2009.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Baumann |first=Julius |date=11 March 2009 |title=A Chief Khaya Ngqula Quits Amid Probe |publisher=AllAfrica.com |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200903110018.html |access-date=30 December 2010 |archive-date=13 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090313074725/http://allafrica.com/stories/200903110018.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=24 February 2010 |title=SAfrica main airline appoints new chief executive |work=Reuters |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/idINLDE61N2JF20100224 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201050112/http://in.reuters.com/article/idINLDE61N2JF20100224 |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 February 2013 |access-date=30 December 2010}}</ref>

At the end of 2010, SAA permanently retired the two Boeing 747-400s which were temporarily re-introduced in late 2008.<ref name="747_phase_out">{{Cite magazine |last=Sobie |first=Brendan |date=20 May 2010 |title=SAA plans to finally phase out 747-400s at year-end |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/05/20/342229/saa-plans-to-finally-phase-out-747-400s-at-year-end.html |magazine=Flight International |access-date=30 December 2010 |archive-date=21 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221151144/https://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/05/20/342229/saa-plans-to-finally-phase-out-747-400s-at-year-end.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |year=2010 |title=SAA plans to finally phase out 747-400s at year-end |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/05/20/342229/saa-plans-to-finally-phase-out-747-400s-at-year-end.html |access-date=20 May 2010 |website=Flight International |archive-date=21 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221151144/https://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/05/20/342229/saa-plans-to-finally-phase-out-747-400s-at-year-end.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This was expected to save it $60&nbsp;million during the fiscal year ending March 2009. SAA leased two second hand [[Airbus A340-300]]s from Airbus Financial Services (AFS) to replace the 747s.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}

=== Financial difficulties and bankruptcy: 2012–2020 ===
[[File:South African Airways Airbus A340 ZS-SXA Perth 2019 (01).jpg|thumb|An [[Airbus A340#A340-300|Airbus A340-300]] approaching [[Perth Airport]] (2019)]]
[[File:South_African_Airways_Airbus_A350-941_ZS-SDF_arriving_at_JFK_Airport.jpg|thumb|A since phased-out [[Airbus A350-900]] in the current colour scheme arriving in [[New York City|New York]] (2020)]]
On 24 February 2012 SAA's new [[Airbus A320-200]], registration ZS-SZZ, made its first revenue flight between Johannesburg and Durban. There were twelve A320s in the fleet as of December 2016. On 16 August 2012, SAA ended its Cape Town-London route after 20 years, due to declining passenger numbers and increasing airport taxes.

SAA began flights to Beijing, China on 31 January 2012.<ref>{{cite web |title=Introducing Direct Services to Beijing, China - South African Airways |url=http://www.flysaa.com/za/en/newroutes/china.html |access-date=24 April 2015 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402112345/http://www.flysaa.com/za/en/newroutes/china.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Buenos Aires flights ended in 2013 and, in January 2015, SAA announced plans to end its non-stop services to [[Beijing Capital Airport|Beijing]] and [[Mumbai Airport|Mumbai]]. Services to China were replaced by Star Alliance partner [[Air China]] with a flight to Beijing.<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 February 2015 |title=South African Airways outlook brightens as recovery plan and partnership strategy roll out |publisher=centreforaviation.com |url=http://centreforaviation.com/analysis/south-african-airways-outlook-brightens-as-recovery-plan-and-partnership-strategy-roll-out-208472 |access-date=7 February 2015 |archive-date=7 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207162907/http://centreforaviation.com/analysis/south-african-airways-outlook-brightens-as-recovery-plan-and-partnership-strategy-roll-out-208472 |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2015, the acting CEO stated that [[London]], [[New York City]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Munich]], [[Frankfurt]] and [[Perth]] were the only profitable long-haul routes; all others were loss-making.<ref>{{cite web |title=South African Airways Upbeat On Turnaround |url=http://aviationweek.com/iata-agm-2015/south-african-airways-upbeat-turnaround |website=aviationweek.com |access-date=10 June 2015 |archive-date=10 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610110235/http://aviationweek.com/iata-agm-2015/south-african-airways-upbeat-turnaround |url-status=live }}</ref>

In September 2017, SAA began reducing its fleet and expected to cut 23% of its flights.<ref>{{Cite news |agency=Reuters |title=SAA to shrink services as part of revamp |language=en |url=http://ewn.co.za/2017/09/13/saa-to-shrink-services-as-part-of-revamp |access-date=2017-09-22 |archive-date=23 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923050614/http://ewn.co.za/2017/09/13/saa-to-shrink-services-as-part-of-revamp |url-status=live }}</ref> Standard Chartered Bank was the first bank in June 2017 to call in its SAA loan. The South African government provided R2.2 billion to settle the debt.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Why Citibank pulled the plug on bankrupt SAA |language=en-US |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/2017-08-25-why-citibank-pulled-the-plug-on-bankrupt-saa/ |access-date=2017-09-22 |archive-date=23 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923003241/https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/2017-08-25-why-citibank-pulled-the-plug-on-bankrupt-saa/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Citibank was the second bank to refuse extending the loan facility. Together with some others, another R7.7 billion became payable at the end of September 2017. The South African treasury asked the Public Investment Corporation, which controls government pension funds, for R100 billion to help bail out state-owned enterprises, including SAA.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Treasury said to ask PIC for R100bn for state-owned enterprises |work=Fin24 |url=http://www.fin24.com/Economy/treasury-said-to-ask-pic-for-r100bn-for-state-owned-enterprises-20170922 |access-date=2017-09-22 |archive-date=22 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922212832/http://www.fin24.com/Economy/treasury-said-to-ask-pic-for-r100bn-for-state-owned-enterprises-20170922 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 5 December 2019, the government of South Africa announced that SAA would enter into bankruptcy protection, as the airline had not turned a profit since 2011 and had run out of money.<ref>{{cite web |date=2019-12-04 |title=South African Airways to Enter Into Bankruptcy Protection |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-12-04/south-african-airways-to-be-placed-into-business-rescue |access-date=2019-12-05 |website=Bloomberg.com |archive-date=25 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425091656/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-12-04/south-african-airways-to-be-placed-into-business-rescue |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2020, South African Airways announced that it would suspend several routes, e.g. to [[Munich]] in order to reduce its financial struggle.<ref>{{Cite news|title=South African Airways cancels some flights to Munich to save cash|newspaper=Reuters|date=21 January 2020|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/safrica-saa-cancellations/south-african-airways-cancels-some-flights-to-munich-to-save-cash-idUSJ8N28101T/|access-date=21 January 2020|archive-date=21 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200121151920/https://www.reuters.com/article/safrica-saa-cancellations/south-african-airways-cancels-some-flights-to-munich-to-save-cash-idUSJ8N28101T|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2020, the airline introduced its first of four newly leased [[Airbus A350-900]]s in an attempt to modernize its loss-making long-haul fleet.<ref>[https://www.businessinsider.de/international/south-african-airways-debuted-its-new-airbus-a350-despite-bankruptcy-2020-2/?r=US&IR=T businessinsider.de] 9 February 2020</ref>

On 5 December 2019, SAA was placed under business rescue. Les Matuson and Siviwe Dongwana were appointed as the Business Rescue Practitioners of SAA in December 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Business Rescue of South African Airways (SOC) Limited |url=https://matusonassociates.co.za/saa/ |access-date=2020-05-21 |website=matusonassociates.co.za |language=en-ZA |archive-date=1 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601074432/https://matusonassociates.co.za/saa/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A business recovery plan was expected by the end of February 2020, extended, then postponed. A final plan is yet to be presented.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gordhan Stakes His Reputation and South Africa's on Airline |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-17/gordhan-stakes-his-reputation-and-south-africa-s-on-airline |access-date=2020-05-21 |website=bloomberg.com |date=17 May 2020 |language=en-ZA |archive-date=19 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519050141/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-17/gordhan-stakes-his-reputation-and-south-africa-s-on-airline |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=How was R5.5bn spent by SAA BRPs? Gordhan wants answers |url=https://www.moneyweb.co.za/news/companies-and-deals/how-was-r5-5bn-spent-by-saa-brps-gordhan-wants-answers/ |access-date=2020-05-21 |newspaper=Moneyweb |date=7 May 2020 |language=en-ZA |archive-date=20 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520050534/https://www.moneyweb.co.za/news/companies-and-deals/how-was-r5-5bn-spent-by-saa-brps-gordhan-wants-answers/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In February 2020, ex-Secretary General of the ANC, Ace Magashule, stated that should the Business Rescue Practitioners take decisions not to the ANC's liking, it would intervene. Economist Jacques Jonker, then at the Free Market Foundation, criticised Magashule, pointing out that the Business Rescue Practitioners are officers of the court in terms of the Companies Act of 2008, and that it would be illegal for the ANC to intervene in the business rescue process.<ref>{{cite web|last=Cele|first=Juniour Khumalo and S’thembile|title=ANC allies put their foot down: 'Business rescue practitioners do not own SAA; we do'|url=https://www.news24.com/citypress/News/anc-allies-put-their-foot-down-business-rescue-practitioners-do-not-own-saa-we-do-20200217|access-date=2021-06-25|website=Citypress|language=en-US|archive-date=25 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625174234/https://www.news24.com/citypress/News/anc-allies-put-their-foot-down-business-rescue-practitioners-do-not-own-saa-we-do-20200217|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2020-02-20|title=Government can't interfere in SAA business rescue process, unless... – Jacques Jonker|url=https://www.biznews.com/undictated/2020/02/20/government-cant-interfere-saa-business-rescue|access-date=2021-06-25|website=BizNews.com|language=en-GB|archive-date=25 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625174241/https://www.biznews.com/undictated/2020/02/20/government-cant-interfere-saa-business-rescue|url-status=live}}</ref> When Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan later tried to justify the notion that the business rescue practitioners are accountable to him and not to the courts, Jonker pointed out that such a state of affairs would be unconstitutional.<ref>{{cite web|last=Jonker|first=Jacques|title=Accountability is more important than government's desire for control|url=https://www.news24.com/citypress/Voices/accountability-is-more-important-than-governments-desire-for-control-20200312|access-date=2021-06-25|website=Citypress|language=en-US|archive-date=25 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625174231/https://www.news24.com/citypress/Voices/accountability-is-more-important-than-governments-desire-for-control-20200312|url-status=live}}</ref>

In April 2020, following a request for further emergency financing due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the South African government announced that it would stop funding the airline with immediate effect.<ref>{{cite web |date=2020-04-14 |title=Is this the end of SAA? Government shoots down funding request |url=https://www.fin24.com/Companies/Industrial/is-this-the-end-of-saa-government-shoots-down-funding-request-20200414 |access-date=2020-04-19 |website=Fin24 |archive-date=20 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420205905/https://www.fin24.com/Companies/Industrial/is-this-the-end-of-saa-government-shoots-down-funding-request-20200414 |url-status=live }}</ref> The airline then announced plans to lay off all remaining staff by the end of the month, sparking fears that SAA was on the brink of [[liquidation]].

As of 1 May 2020, all SAA staff members were on unpaid leave of absence, including those who are reporting for duty, with no pay for the 4,708 remaining workforce.<ref name="iol.co.za">{{cite web |title=Shape up or ship out, parliament tells SAA's business rescuers |url=https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/economy/shape-up-or-ship-out-parliament-tells-saas-business-rescuers-48070238 |access-date=2020-05-21 |website=iol.co.za |language=en-ZA |archive-date=19 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519050139/https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/economy/shape-up-or-ship-out-parliament-tells-saas-business-rescuers-48070238 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite web |title=SAA's business rescue practitioners 'raked in over R30m without producing a plan' |url=https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/saas-business-rescue-practitioners-raked-in-over-r30m-without-producing-a-plan-48047867 |access-date=2020-05-21 |website=iol.co.za |language=en-ZA |archive-date=23 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523020423/https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/saas-business-rescue-practitioners-raked-in-over-r30m-without-producing-a-plan-48047867 |url-status=live }}</ref> Unaudited financial statements presented in a draft report show SAA made losses of almost R16 billion in the previous three years.<ref name="iol.co.za" /><ref name="ReferenceB" /> SAA received R50 billion of government assistance between 2004 and 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Full extent of SAA burden on taxpayers revealed - at last |url=http://www.tourismupdate.co.za/article/199459/Full-extent-of-SAA-burden-on-taxpayers-revealed-at-last |access-date=2020-05-21 |website=tourismupdate.co.za |language=en-ZA |archive-date=21 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521101327/http://www.tourismupdate.co.za/article/199459/Full-extent-of-SAA-burden-on-taxpayers-revealed-at-last |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 2 May 2020, the government of South Africa announced that South African Airways would be ceasing operations after 86 years of service, and that a new flagship carrier would be created for South Africa out of the ashes of the former airline.<ref>{{cite web |title=South African Airways nears collapse, plans to fire all staff |url=https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/south-african-airways-collapse |access-date=2020-04-19 |website=Executive Traveller |language=en |archive-date=20 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420082859/https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/south-african-airways-collapse |url-status=live }}</ref> The liquidation process was set to begin on 8 May; however, a legal battle between the liquidators and the workforce delayed the proceedings indefinitely.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kaminski-Morrow2020-05-07T14:38:00+01:00 |first=David |title=SAA on brink as government scrambles to defer 'drop dead' date |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/airlines/saa-on-brink-as-government-scrambles-to-defer-drop-dead-date/138271.article |access-date=2020-05-07 |website=Flight Global |language=en |archive-date=11 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200511150233/https://www.flightglobal.com/airlines/saa-on-brink-as-government-scrambles-to-defer-drop-dead-date/138271.article |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Kaminski-Morrow2020-05-08T17:57:00+01:00 |first=David |title=SAA defies shutdown as unions claim labour court victory |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/airlines/saa-defies-shutdown-as-unions-claim-labour-court-victory/138295.article |access-date=2020-05-09 |website=Flight Global |language=en |archive-date=9 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200509223446/https://www.flightglobal.com/airlines/saa-defies-shutdown-as-unions-claim-labour-court-victory/138295.article |url-status=live }}</ref> In July, the creditors voted to accept the restructuring plan, allowing the airline to avoid liquidation. A full domestic network was to be reinstated by December 2020.<ref>{{cite news |title=SAA creditors approve turnaround plan |url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/93069-saa-creditors-approve-turnaround-plan |access-date=2020-07-22 |newspaper=Ch-Aviation |language=en |archive-date=22 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722165546/https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/93069-saa-creditors-approve-turnaround-plan |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 21 August 2020, The Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) appointed [[First Rand|Rand Merchant Bank]] to help with negotiations with private entities interested in buying into the country's insolvent national carrier, which needed at least R10 billion to resume operations.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bloomberg |title=SAA in talks with potential buyers |url=https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/427154/saa-in-talks-with-potential-buyers/ |access-date=2020-08-21 |language=en-US |archive-date=21 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821073120/https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/427154/saa-in-talks-with-potential-buyers/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On 30 September the airline announced that it was suspending all operations until critical funding could be agreed.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kaminski-Morrow |first=David |date=30 September 2020 |title=SAA suspends operations as rescuers seek to preserve finances |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/airlines/saa-suspends-operations-as-rescuers-seek-to-preserve-finances/140388.article |url-access=registration |access-date=30 September 2020 |website=[[FlightGlobal]] |archive-date=2 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002123240/https://www.flightglobal.com/airlines/saa-suspends-operations-as-rescuers-seek-to-preserve-finances/140388.article |url-status=live }}</ref>

In September 2020, SAA suspended all flight operations as the Business Rescue Practitioners placed the airline under "care and maintenance" until further funding could be sourced.<ref>{{cite web|agency=Reuters|title=SAA to go under care and maintenance until funding found|url=https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/saa-to-go-under-care-and-maintenance-until-funding-found-2020-09-30|access-date=2021-02-12|website=www.engineeringnews.co.za|language=en|archive-date=29 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029234408/https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/saa-to-go-under-care-and-maintenance-until-funding-found-2020-09-30|url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 2020, the South African government said it was looking for partners in its efforts to bail out the airline. On 28 October 2020, the South African government bailed SAA out with R10.5 billion in order to implement the turnaround strategy.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-10-28 |title=South Africa Defends State Airline Bailout As It Seeks Partners |language=en |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-10-28/south-africa-defends-state-airline-bailout-as-it-seeks-partners |access-date=2020-10-28 |archive-date=31 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031173656/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-10-28/south-africa-defends-state-airline-bailout-as-it-seeks-partners |url-status=live }}</ref> During 2020, the airline returned 4 Airbus A319s, all of its 10 A320s, all of its 6 A330-200s, 4 A330-300s, 3 A340-300s, 3 A340-600s, and all 4 new A350-900s to their respective lessors.{{Cn|date=September 2024}} Both Boeing 737 Freighters also left the fleet in early 2020, ending a long history of dedicated freighter operations at the airline.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}

As of February 2021, the South African government was in talks with three potential investors to revive the airline and resume operations, with a massively-reduced workforce.<ref>[https://businesstech.co.za/news/trending/468264/new-saa-to-get-partner-as-it-prepares-to-exit-business-rescue/ businesstech.co.za - ‘New SAA’ to get partner as it prepares to exit business rescue] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216062039/https://businesstech.co.za/news/trending/468264/new-saa-to-get-partner-as-it-prepares-to-exit-business-rescue/ |date=16 February 2021 }} 15 February 2021</ref> The South African treasury reported that the airline had incurred a total loss of R32 billion (US$2.1 billion) between 2008 and 2020.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2021-05-06 |title=No more bailouts for SAA |url=https://mg.co.za/business/2021-05-06-no-more-bailouts-for-saa/ |access-date=2022-02-26 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA |archive-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226191827/https://mg.co.za/business/2021-05-06-no-more-bailouts-for-saa/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Mail & Guardian|Mail and Guardian]] estimated that the airline had received a total of R60 billion (US$4 billion) in government guarantees.<ref name=":0" />

=== Relaunch: 2021–present ===
In June 2021, the South African government relinquished its controlling stake in the airline. After extensive talks with potential investors, they selected the Takatso Consortium. The consortium was to own 51% of the airline, while the government maintains a 49% stake.<ref>{{cite web|date=2021-06-21|title=South Africa: SAA's new deal gives it wings, but no flying the skies just yet|url=https://www.theafricareport.com/99718/south-africa-saas-new-deal-gives-it-wings-but-no-flying-the-skies-just-yet/|access-date=2021-06-21|website=The Africa Report.com|language=en-US|archive-date=21 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621113742/https://www.theafricareport.com/99718/south-africa-saas-new-deal-gives-it-wings-but-no-flying-the-skies-just-yet/|url-status=live}}</ref> The consortium  involves Harith General Partners and [[Global Aviation|Global Airways]]. Harith General Partners is chaired by South Africa's former deputy finance minister, Jabulani Moleketi. In the address in which he announced the takeover, [[Pravin Gordhan]], the [[Minister of Public Enterprises]], revealed that SAA would receive a R3 billion boost in investment from the new partners.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ndenze|first=Babalo|title=Who's who in the new Takatso Consortium|url=https://ewn.co.za/2021/06/15/takatso-consortium-a-combination-of-a-former-dept-finance-minister-and-business|access-date=2021-06-21|website=ewn.co.za|language=en|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204712/https://ewn.co.za/2021/06/15/takatso-consortium-a-combination-of-a-former-dept-finance-minister-and-business|url-status=live}}</ref>

In an interview on 26 November 2021, Gordhan reiterated that the South African government still expects to complete the transaction with the Takatso Consortium in early 2022, despite the ongoing [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Lacqua|first1=Francine|last2=Burkhardt|first2=Paul|title=Pravin Gordhan expects sale of SAA to be done by early 2022|url=https://www.businesslive.co.za/bloomberg/news/2021-11-29-pravin-gordhan-expects-sale-of-saa-to-be-done-by-early-2022/|date=29 November 2021|access-date=29 November 2021|website=BusinessLive|archive-date=29 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129085417/https://www.businesslive.co.za/bloomberg/news/2021-11-29-pravin-gordhan-expects-sale-of-saa-to-be-done-by-early-2022/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 2022, SAA expanded its fleet with the addition of 2 Airbus A320-200 and added new routes from [[Johannesburg]] to [[Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe|Victoria Falls]], [[Zimbabwe]], [[Malawi]] and [[Windhoek]], [[Namibia]].

On 31 October 2023, SAA resumed services to [[São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport|São Paulo]] in Brazil,<ref>{{cite web |title=After almost four years, South African Airways resumes flights to Sao Paulo |url=https://www.aviacionline.com/2023/10/after-almost-four-years-south-african-airways-resumes-flights-to-sao-paulo/ |website=Aviacionline |date=31 October 2023 |access-date=10 January 2024 |archive-date=10 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110151820/https://www.aviacionline.com/2023/10/after-almost-four-years-south-african-airways-resumes-flights-to-sao-paulo/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the first intercontinental route to be flown by the airline since the start of the pandemic. SAA also resumed flights to [[Perth Airport|Perth]], Australia in April 2024. <ref>{{cite web |title=South African Airways to returns to Perth on April 28 |url=https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/south-african-airways-perth-johannesburg |website=ExecutiveTraveller |date=9 January 2024 |access-date=10 January 2024 |archive-date=10 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110151820/https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/south-african-airways-perth-johannesburg |url-status=live }}</ref> Since relaunching, South African Airways has increased the frequency of their Perth bound flights to 4 weekly flights, increasing to 5 by late January 2025. <ref>{{Cite web |title=South African Airways increases its connectivity between Perth and Johannesburg |url=https://www.perthairport.com.au/Home/corporate/articles/2024/12/17/07/45/South-African-Airways-increases-its-connectivity-between-Perth-and-Johannesburg |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=www.perthairport.com.au |language=en}}</ref>