South Africa signed a R1.4 billion deal, giving SAirGroup, the holding company of Swissair, a 20% stake in South African Airways.
2000s history of South African Airways
South African Airways embarked on an extensive fleet renewal program and appointed Airbus as its supplier. The airline placed a staggering order for 41 new aircraft with a price tag of US$3.5 billion – Africa’s biggest jetliner acquisition.
For a simpler, smarter and faster way to check in, SAA launched an online check-in system and a self check-in kiosk.
SAA signed a US$200 million deal with Rolls Royce to supply the airline’s nine A340-600s with Rolls Royce Trent 500 engines.
After an absence of more than 40 years, South Africa was reinstated as a member of the International Civil Aviation Organization. Thereafter, we became a member of the global Star Alliance in April 2006, and with it came seamless worldwide air travel. In addition, we unveiled two Star Alliance branded aircraft – a 737-800 and Airbus A340-600 – as part of the global network’s requirements.
On 29 November 2007, we became the proud official carrier of the South African rugby team, the Springboks, as part of a sponsorship agreement between the airline and South African Rugby.
South African Airways Mission
To deliver sustainable profits and grow our market share through world- class service to our customers internally and externally.
SAA Vision
An African airline with global reach
SAA’s Core Business
Movement of people and goods by air
SAA’s Corporate Values
Customer Focused
Anticipating and striving to understand the unique needs of our customers (internal and external) through tailoring each interaction to their specific needs
South African Airways Accountability
Taking responsibility for individual and team actions, decisions and results by establishing clear plans and goals and measuring our progress against them, while discerning a deeper purpose in one’s everyday job
South African Airways Integrity
Practicing the highest standards of ethical behaviour in all our lines of work and maintaining credibility by making certain that our actions always match our words consistently
South African Airways Safety
Adopting a zero defect mentality and striving for zero accidents through proper training, work practices, risk management and adherence to safety regulations at all times
South African Airways Excellence
in Performance
Setting goals beyond the best and reinforcing high quality performance standards and achieving excellence through implementing best practices
South African Airways Valuing our
People
Committing to satisfaction, development, and well-being, through treating them with respect, dignity and fairness
South African Airways Airline
Operating Certificate
Click here to download the South African Airways Airline Operating Certificate.
SAA awards
South African Airways awards information
Over the years, South African Airways (SAA) has received various prestigious awards for service and innovation. These include “Best Airline in Africa” at the skytrax awards. Each award drives us to enhance the SAA experience for our guests. Since 2001, we have been proud to receive the following awards and titles:
Year |
Department |
Award Presenter |
Category |
2010 | SAA Cargo | Air Cargo News | Best African Cargo Airline |
2009 | SAA | World Travel Awards | Africa’s Leading Airline |
SAA | Sunday Times Top Brands Awards | Best Domestic Airline (Business to Consumer) | |
SAA | Travel Weekly Globe Awards | Best Scheduled Airline in Africa | |
SAA | Skytrax Customer Satisfaction Survey | Best Airline in Africa | |
Cargo | Air Cargo Magazine | Best African Air Cargo | |
SAA | World Travel Awards | Africa’s Leading Airline | |
SAA | Africa’s Annual Travel and Tourism Exhibition | Best Airline Stand at Indaba | |
SAA | Sunday Times/Generation Next | Coolest Domestic Airline Brand | |
2008 | SAA | CBC African Business Awards | Airline of the Year |
SAA | World Travel Awards | Africa’s Leading Airline | |
SAA Cargo | Air Cargo World | Air Cargo Award of Excellence | |
SAA Cargo | Air Cargo News | Best African Cargo Airline | |
SAA | Weekly Globe Awards | Best Airline to Africa (17th consecutive year) | |
SAA | OAG | Best Airline Based in Africa (10th consecutive year) | |
SAA | Telegraph Ultra (UK) | Best African Airline | |
2007 | SAA Corporate | Weekly Globe Awards | Best Scheduled Airline to Africa |
SAA Voyager | Razor’s Edge Business Intelligence Awards | Best Stand Alone Highest Value Credit Card | |
SAA Corporate | ASATA | Best Online International Airline | |
SAA Corporate | ASATA | Best African Airline | |
SAA Corporate | Skytrax | Best Airline in Africa – YC Service | |
SAA Corporate | Skytrax | Best Airline in Africa – PC Service | |
SAA Corporate | Skytrax | Top Ten Global Rankings – YC Service | |
SAA Corporate | OAG Airline of the Year Awards | Best Airline Based in Africa | |
SAA Corporate | Skytrax | Top Ten Global Rankings – PC Service | |
SAA | 14th World Travel Awards for Africa | Africa’s Leading Airline | |
SAA | 14th World Travel Awards for Africa | Africa’s Leading FC Product | |
SAA | 14th World Travel Awards for Africa | Africa’s Leading PC Product | |
SAA | 14th World Travel Awards for Africa | Africa’s Leading Website | |
SAA Voyager | Razor’s Edge Business Intelligence 7 Best Loyalty Programme Survey Award | Best FFP | |
SAA Corporate | Star Consumer/readers ‘Your Choice 2007’ Award | Best Airline | |
SAA Corporate | Markinor SA Top Brands | Best Domestic Airline: 4th year | |
SAA Corporate | Business Traveller Award | Best African Airline | |
SAA Corporate | Danish Travel Awards | 3rd place for Best Intercontinental Airline | |
2006 | SAA Corporate | Travel Weekly Globe Awards | Best Airline to Africa from the UK (15th consecutive year) |
SAA Corporate | Global Traveler Awards | Best Airline to Africa | |
SAA Corporate | Business Travel Magazine – annual best in class awards | Best Business Class Service to Africa | |
SAA Corporate | ASATA/Diners Award | Best African Airline | |
SAA Corporate | ASATA/Diners Award | Best International Airline | |
SAA Corporate | Skytrax | Best Premium Flat Bed Seat in the World | |
SAA Corporate | Skytrax | Best Airline in Africa | |
SAA Corporate | OAG Airline of the Year Awards | Best Airline Based in Africa (6th consecutive year) | |
SAA Corporate | Skytrax customer survey | Best Long Haul Business Class (2nd position) | |
SAA Corporate | Skytrax customer survey | PC Lounge ranks 5th in the World | |
SAA Corporate | Skytrax customer survey | FC Lounges rank 4th in World | |
SAA Corporate | Skytrax customer survey | Best Cabin Crew in Africa | |
SAA Corporate | Markinor SA Top Brands | Best Domestic Airline (2nd year) | |
SAA Corporate | World Travel Awards | Africa’s Leading Airline | |
SAA Corporate | World Travel Awards | Africa’s Leading First Class Airline | |
SAA Corporate | World Travel Awards | Africa’s Leading Business Class Airline | |
SAA Corporate | Frost & Sullivan | Fleet Development Award for African Carrier | |
2005 | SAA Corporate | Travel Weekly Globe Awards | Best Airline to Africa |
SAA Corporate | Travel Channel survey | Best Airline Service On Board & On the Ground Long Haul Routes (2nd place) | |
SAA Corporate | PMR | Company that Contributed Most the Economic Growth and Development of the Province | |
SAA Corporate | ACSA | Golden Feather Awards | |
SAA Corporate | Diners Club ASATA Awards | Best African Airline | |
SAA Corporate | Skytrax | 1st Best Airline in Africa | |
SAA Corporate | Skytrax | 1st Best Cabin Staff in Africa | |
SAA Corporate | Skytrax | 2nd Best Business Class Service in the World | |
SAA Corporate | Skytrax | 3rd Best FC Lounges Globally | |
SAA Corporate | Skytrax | 3rd Best Airline Middle East/Africa | |
SAA LHR Call Centre | Skytrax | 1st in the BPA Competitive Review for Best Performing Reservations Centre | |
2004 | SAA Brazil | Best Airline to Africa | |
SAA Corporate | ASATA | Diners Club ASATA Awards African Airline | |
SAA Direct Channels E-commerce | ASATA | Diners Club ASATA Awards International Online Airline | |
SAA Corporate | Skytrax | Airline of the Year Africa | |
SAA Brazil | Brazil Travel News | Best International Airline – The 10 Best of Tourism | |
SAA Corporate | Indaba | Best Airline Stand | |
SAA Corporate | Skytrax | Finalist in Service Excellence Award | |
SAA Corporate | Saturday Star Orchid Award Best Ad Award from Brendan Seery | Best SA 10th Anniversary Advert | |
SAA Corporate | Skytrax | SAA First Class ranks 6th globally | |
SAA Corporate | Skytrax | SAA FC Curbside Check-in ranks 2nd globally. SAA FC Lounges ranks 4th globally | |
SAA Corporate | Skytrax | Best Cabin Service in Africa | |
SAA Corporate | Skytrax | Best Flat Bed Seat in the World | |
SAA Corporate | South African Government | Award for Women in Development | |
SAA Corporate | Best of Johannesburg 2004 Readers | Best Airline (Domestic) | |
SAA | Markinor/Sunday Times | Best Brand – Domestic Airline | |
SAA | Selling Long Haul Travel Awards | Best Airline to Southern & Central Africa | |
SAA East London | Border Technikon | Outstanding Contribution to Co-operative Education | |
SAA Corporate | Ask Africa Public Trust Barometer | The Most Trusted Company | |
SAA CIA | ACSA – Feather Awards | Best International Airline in Cape Town | |
SAA Corporate | Skytrax 2004/2005 Awards | FC Lounges ranked no. 2 in the world | |
SAA Zimbabwe Office | Foundation for Excellence Practice, Geneva, Switzerland | Gold Medal | |
SAA Corporate | First non-Saudi Airline to Fly into Madinah | ||
2003 | SAA | Travel Weekly Globe Awards | Best Airline to Africa |
SAA | ASATA | Best African Airline | |
SAA | ASATA | Best Domestic Airline | |
SAA | ASATA | Best International Airline Flying to South Africa | |
SAA | Skytrax | Best Airline in Africa | |
SAA | Skytrax | Best Cabin Crew in Africa | |
SAA | Indaba | Best Airline Stand 2003 | |
SAA | OAG Airline of the Year Awards | Best Airline Based in Africa | |
SAA | Skytrax First Class Rankings | First Class Home-base Check-in ranked 1st | |
SAA | Conde Naste Top 10 Trans Atlantic Airlines | Ranked No. 7 | |
2002 | SAA | Business Traveller (USA) | Best to Fly Business Class to Africa |
SAA | Skytrax | Best Airline in Africa | |
SAA | Skytrax | Best Cabin Crew in Africa | |
SAA/Sawubona | Advantage AdMag | Best In-flight Magazine | |
SAA | Association of British Travel Agents | Most Outstanding African Airline | |
SAA | Diners Club/ASATA | Best African Airline | |
SAA | Diners Club/ASATA | Best International Online Airline | |
SAA | OAG Airline of the Year Awards | Best Airline Based in Africa | |
SAA | Durban Tourism Indaba | Best Airline Stand | |
SAA | UK Travel Trade Magazine ‘Selling Long Haul’ | Best Airline to Africa | |
SAA | Tanzania Society of Travel Agents | Best Airline in Africa | |
SAA | World Online Entertainment Association | First Runner-up for Best Single In-flight Audio Programme | |
2001 | Cargo | Air Cargo News | Best Cargo Airline |
SAA | Skytrax | Best Airline in Africa | |
SAA | Skytrax | Best Airline in South Africa | |
SAA | Skytrax | Best Cabin Crew in Africa | |
Flight Despatch | SITA Flight Operations | Customer Loyalty Award | |
Marketing & Communication | Star – Orchard Award | Best Advert of the Week | |
SAA/Sawubona | Advantage AdMag Awards | Best In-flight Magazine | |
Product | Excellence Cast in Stone | Training Video on SAA Corporate Image & Uniform Collection | |
SAA | Travel Weekly Globe Awards | Best Airline to Africa |
SAA leadership
SAA leadership information
SAA’s dynamic leadership team is led by Chaiman and Acting CEO Vuyisile Kona, under the guidance of the airline’s esteemed Board of Directors. The leadership team sets to fulfill SAA’s strategic goals, ensuring that the airline grows into a sustainable, world class airline.
Name | Position | |
Vuyisile Kona | – | Chaiman and Acting Chief Executive Officer |
Sandile Dlamini | – | Company Secretary |
Thuli Mpshe | – | General Manager: Human Resources |
Tlali Tlali | – | Head Group Corporate Affairs |
Jerome Simelane | – | General Manager: Commercial (Acting) |
Wolfgang Meyer | – | Chief Financial Officer |
Pieter Snyman | – | Chief Information Officer |
Fikile Thabethe | – | General Manager:Legal,Risk & Compliance(Acting) |
Musa Zwane | – | Chief Executive Officer: SAA Technical |
Alison Crooks | – | Chief Executive Officer: Airchefs |
Nico Bezuidenhout | – | Chief Executive Officer: Mango |
Bulelwa Koyana | – | Chief Executive Officer: SATC |
Tleli Makhetha | – | General Manager SAA Cargo |
Barry Parsons | – | Executive in the CEO’s Office, Strategy & Project Management Office |
Siyakhula Vilakazi | – | Chief Audit Executive |
Star Alliance Conventions ,
South African Airways,
Star Alliance Conventions Plus
Conventions Plus is a Star Alliance service that helps make organizing and attending international conferences easier. That’s because we offer access to member airlines’ schedules and discounted fares in one handy place. So, no matter where you are, or where you’re going, getting there is simple.