Summary
- South African Airways is reopening its route between Johannesburg and Perth, providing Australians with a further travel choice to Sao Paulo through Johannesburg.
- The CEO of South African Airways highlights that the Perth route is essential for promoting trade and cultural exchange between South Africa and Australia.
- The route will initially operate 3 times weekly and can utilize an Airbus A340-300 aircraft with a two-class layout, providing passengers with a snug travel experience.
The post-pandemic era is seeing airlines open plenty of latest routes and resuming some old favorites, reminiscent of South African Airways announcing the return of flights between Johannesburg and Perth, Western Australia. Today, Perth Airport announced the route will recommence on April 28, 2024, with bookings now open.
The return of a long-standing partner
The resumption has also been announced by South African Airways, which marks the second interoceanic path to be reopened inside six months of the successful launch of the Sao Paulo, Brazil route on October 31, 2023. This link provides Australians with another Southern Hemisphere travel itinerary from Perth to Sao Paulo through Johannesburg with South African Airways (SAA).
SAA CEO Professor John Lamola said the Perth route aligns with the airline’s strategic plans to scale its operations to a profitable level by leveraging its widebody aircraft, status as a national carrier and skill to offer long-haul intercontinental air connectivity. He added:
“Perth has long been a favoured destination for South African and Australian travellers, with roughly 80% of SAA’s goal market being visiting family and friends. The recommencement of the route provides a neater and direct passage for each leisure and business travellers, promoting trade and cultural exchange between South Africa and Australia.”
Initially, the service from Johannesburg, SA280, will operate 3 times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, departing OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) at 20:55 and arriving at Perth Airport (PER) at 12:20 the next day. The return leaves Perth on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 14:40 and arrives in Johannesburg the subsequent day at 19:35.
The airline lists the Airbus A340-300 because the aircraft to operate the route, configured in a two-class layout of 253 seats, including 38 in business class and 215 within the economy cabin. Fleet data from shows that SAA has a fleet of 13 aircraft, including 4 wet-leased 737s from SunExpress. The balance of the fleet includes six Airbus A320-200s, two A330-300s and the solitary A340-300, registration ZS-SXF and MSN 651, which was delivered to SAA in March 2005.
Photo: Airbus
SAA is a member of the Star Alliance, and the airline said it could further enhance the seamless travel into and out of Australia for patrons of the 25 airlines which might be co-members of the alliance. Lamola also said the airline team is committed to growing SAA right into a revered leader in the worldwide aviation sector, with the vision to expand its footprint to greater than 20 destinations this yr.
A juicy catch for Perth Airport
Positioned within the capital of Western Australia, Perth Airport can be the launchpad for Qantas nonstop flights to London Heathrow (LHR), generally seen because the precursor to the Project Sunrise routes as a consequence of start in 2025. The airport’s leadership is clearly enthusiastic about seeing the SAA aircraft back on its aprons after a three-year break as a consequence of the pandemic.
Perth Airport Chief Business and Aviation Officer Kate Holsgrove has already said that after the flights resume, the airport will work closely with SAA to rebuild back to day by day flights. She added:
“The return of South African Airways to Perth Airport is a testament to the airline’s resilient efforts and our continued partnership over 60 years. It stays our key focus to make sure we grow international aviation into Perth and Western Australia.”
Have you ever flown on this route before? Allow us to learn about your experience within the comments.