Johannesburg, 03 October 2019 — SA Express is pleased to announce the approval for the airline to offer services to Zimbabwe, Angola and Botswana by the International Air Services Council (IASC).

This will soon see the airline adding seven new return flights between Cape Town International Airport and Gaborone in Botswana, seven return flights between OR Tambo International Airport and Bulawayo in Zimbabwe, and three return flights to Luanda in Angola.

SA Express’ new regional frequencies were finally approved following a delay as a result of objections by competitor airline SA Airlink, in their efforts to remain the sole operator in these markets.

Commenting on the granting of its new routes, SA Express spokesperson, Mpho Majatladi said this was crucial as it would allow the airline to continue to make steady progress in its quests to achieve long-term commercial sustainability.

“We are very pleased with the Council’s decision as it allows us to accelerate the implementation of our strategy to offer increased much needed regional services to achieve commercial sustainability. To this end, we plan to launch these new routes as soon as possible as they are high yield markets.

“In line with the Shareholder’s legitimate expectations that all state-owned companies become assets that fully serve South Africans in a sustainable manner, the airline has previously stated its intentions to focus its growth on the higher earning regional destinations that are still monopolistic in nature.

This comes as SA Express’ new Board of Directors and management have been driving the improving performance of the airline on the strength of five strategic pillars, all of which have clear initiatives and outcomes.

The five key pillars are anchored around good corporate governance; working to grow the airline’s revenue and to achieve profitability; engendering operational efficiency; improving SAX’s product offerings and services, and retaining and developing competent staff.