SAA resumes operations in Kenya, opens new booking office after two-year gap

SAA aircraft at OR Tambo International Airport. l ROGAN WARD/REUTERS FILE

SAA aircraft at OR Tambo International Airport. l ROGAN WARD/REUTERS FILE

Published Oct 6, 2022

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By Radarr Africa

South African Airways (SAA) has resumed its operations in Kenya after shutting down for the past two years.

The South-African national carrier opened a new booking office in Yaya Centre, Nairobi, to provide flight bookings between the two countries.

SAA closed down its operation due to financial challenges that were exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic that saw airlines grounded.

“South African Airways is just reopening its offices in Nairobi after a two-year closure. We had closed down because of Covid and the company was undergoing some restructuring.

“So, this is a new office to serve our customers within Kenya and, of course, Greater East Africa, but basically to just show the travelling public that the South African Airways is back,” SAA East Africa regional manager and Middle East, Austin Nyawara, told Capital Business.

This comes after SAA and KQ in July 2022, signed a code-share agreement on flights between Kenya and South Africa to increase the scope of its operations.

Under the deal, the two airlines will be able to sell ticket jointly, allowing customers to use KQ and SAA ticket in both airlines. SAA will also be able to enjoy KQ flight destinations to Mombasa, Kisumu, Entebbe and Dar es Salaam, among others.

“Customers can buy tickets from here, they can do their reservations here, they can also make inquiries about travel packages to South Africa, Mauritius and beyond,” added Nyawara.

SOURCE: Capital business

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