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SAA to ground 747s to save costs
South African Airways is to ground its fleet of six Boeing 747-400s as part of cost-saving restructuring measures.
Services from London to Johannesburg will be replaced by two-class Airbus A340s by November 2 instead of the current three classes offered on the 747s.
The airline said there would be a phased introduction of the Airbus long range aircraft from July 1.
SAA owns one 747 and leases the remaning five but has decided to axe them as part of an extensive overhaul designed to bring the airline back into profit within 18 months.
“By far the largest part of this inititiative is a decision to ground SAA’s fleet of B747-400 aircraft,” a statement said. “The fleet is an expensive, small sub-fleet of SAA with high costs verses the revenue generated by the aircraft.”
The new Airbus will replace the Boeing 747-400s now used to Johannesburg as flying these aircraft has become “too costly” for the airline, SAA added.
The carrier is reviewing its fleet structure after putting a planned upgrade and acquisition strategy on hold.
The A340s will offer a premium class the airline describes as combining the best of the existing 747 first and business class, including lie-flat seats in a 2-2-2 abreast configuration, bigger personal video screens and onboard telephone links.
Economy passengers will have an improved 33-34 inch seat pitch.
The airline’s schedule from London remains unchanged except for the daily SA237 departure which is being brought forward from 21.30 to 20.00 on Saturdays.
by Phil Davies
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