SAA scraps AUH - forgets to tell anyone
Jan 28, 2016, 8:14 am
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
SAA scraps AUH - forgets to tell anyone
"SAA has allegedly cancelled its flights between Abu Dhabi and Johannesburg. Travel agents confirmed they were unable to book SAA operated flights on the GDS for February.
Etihad Airways, which has a code share with SAA on the route, said in a statement that it would accommodate passengers booked on flights operated by SAA between Abu Dhabi and Johannesburg effective February 1.
SAA was unable to comment at the time of publication."
Source
Johan
Etihad Airways, which has a code share with SAA on the route, said in a statement that it would accommodate passengers booked on flights operated by SAA between Abu Dhabi and Johannesburg effective February 1.
SAA was unable to comment at the time of publication."
Source
Johan
Jan 28, 2016, 8:42 am
#2
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Slightly to the left of center
Posts: 3,475
Maybe trimmed back service? Saw this on airlineroute:
In this week’s schedule update, South African Airways has revised operational frequencies for Northern summer 2016 season. Planned service reduction from 7 to 3 weekly, commencing from 01FEB16, will be maintained on/after 27MAR16, on board Airbus A330-200 aircraft. However, this route is only available to book in full fare C and Y class, including ETIHAD codeshare service operated by SAA.
Very unfortunate for people who have confirmed tickets....even a few days from now.
The best part comes in the auto-reply to SAA: (bolding mine)
"South African Airways appreciates you taking the time to share your experience with us.
Your inquiry will be assigned to a Customer Service Agent, a substantive response will be shared with you within 21 working days.
Warm regards,
SAA Customer Service"
This airline deserves to fail
In this week’s schedule update, South African Airways has revised operational frequencies for Northern summer 2016 season. Planned service reduction from 7 to 3 weekly, commencing from 01FEB16, will be maintained on/after 27MAR16, on board Airbus A330-200 aircraft. However, this route is only available to book in full fare C and Y class, including ETIHAD codeshare service operated by SAA.
Very unfortunate for people who have confirmed tickets....even a few days from now.
The best part comes in the auto-reply to SAA: (bolding mine)
"South African Airways appreciates you taking the time to share your experience with us.
Your inquiry will be assigned to a Customer Service Agent, a substantive response will be shared with you within 21 working days.
Warm regards,
SAA Customer Service"
This airline deserves to fail
Jan 29, 2016, 2:28 am
#4
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: N/A
Programs: UA 1K, BA Gold, LH/SN/LX Senator
Posts: 449
Some travel agents might have forgotten how to use the GDS. They have reduced flights to 3x weekly, but still bookable as SA278/279. Go have a look for yourself.
Jan 29, 2016, 3:04 am
#5
Ambassador, Emirates
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,273
Maybe trimmed back service? Saw this on airlineroute:
In this week’s schedule update, South African Airways has revised operational frequencies for Northern summer 2016 season. Planned service reduction from 7 to 3 weekly, commencing from 01FEB16, will be maintained on/after 27MAR16, on board Airbus A330-200 aircraft. However, this route is only available to book in full fare C and Y class, including ETIHAD codeshare service operated by SAA.
Very unfortunate for people who have confirmed tickets....even a few days from now.
The best part comes in the auto-reply to SAA: (bolding mine)
"South African Airways appreciates you taking the time to share your experience with us.
Your inquiry will be assigned to a Customer Service Agent, a substantive response will be shared with you within 21 working days.
Warm regards,
SAA Customer Service"
This airline deserves to fail
In this week’s schedule update, South African Airways has revised operational frequencies for Northern summer 2016 season. Planned service reduction from 7 to 3 weekly, commencing from 01FEB16, will be maintained on/after 27MAR16, on board Airbus A330-200 aircraft. However, this route is only available to book in full fare C and Y class, including ETIHAD codeshare service operated by SAA.
Very unfortunate for people who have confirmed tickets....even a few days from now.
The best part comes in the auto-reply to SAA: (bolding mine)
"South African Airways appreciates you taking the time to share your experience with us.
Your inquiry will be assigned to a Customer Service Agent, a substantive response will be shared with you within 21 working days.
Warm regards,
SAA Customer Service"
This airline deserves to fail
It has (deservedly) already failed. The only reason there are still ongoing flights is that the SA taxpayer (i.e. me, amongst not that many others) keeps on pumping money into it.
Feb 1, 2016, 8:57 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
Perhaps not.
"SAA has confirmed that it has scrapped the Abu Dhabi route, which was launched in March last year.
“It became apparent to us that the route was unlikely to become profitable, at least not in the near future,”said SAA spokesperson Tlali Tlali"
Source
Johan
"SAA has confirmed that it has scrapped the Abu Dhabi route, which was launched in March last year.
“It became apparent to us that the route was unlikely to become profitable, at least not in the near future,”said SAA spokesperson Tlali Tlali"
Source
Johan
Feb 4, 2016, 8:42 am
#7
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Home: Arlington, VA; Home airports: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: Active: AA, UA, DL
Posts: 4,095
DBCme,
SA changed its schedules early January from 7x to 3x. Then SA canceled the service completely!!!
I thought it was wonderful having SA serve the Middle East and work with Etihad. I think the low oil prices resulted in reduced traffic to/from the Middle East. But I wish SA would've canceled the service entire from the get-go instead of "winding down."
SA changed its schedules early January from 7x to 3x. Then SA canceled the service completely!!!
I thought it was wonderful having SA serve the Middle East and work with Etihad. I think the low oil prices resulted in reduced traffic to/from the Middle East. But I wish SA would've canceled the service entire from the get-go instead of "winding down."
Feb 9, 2016, 6:04 am
#10
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 342
DBCme,
SA changed its schedules early January from 7x to 3x. Then SA canceled the service completely!!!
I thought it was wonderful having SA serve the Middle East and work with Etihad. I think the low oil prices resulted in reduced traffic to/from the Middle East. But I wish SA would've canceled the service entire from the get-go instead of "winding down."
SA changed its schedules early January from 7x to 3x. Then SA canceled the service completely!!!
I thought it was wonderful having SA serve the Middle East and work with Etihad. I think the low oil prices resulted in reduced traffic to/from the Middle East. But I wish SA would've canceled the service entire from the get-go instead of "winding down."
the african continent is horrendously under serviced when it comes to intra-africa air transport
the me3 are dumping capacity mid east<>africa routes
not to mention tk and et are * partners within striking distance of me
a company bleeding cash tries a partnership with a me3 that has lower cost structure
how was this route (like that stupid jnbpek flight) in any way wonderful?
edit: ey even said they will boost capacity on jnbauh, so by having saa no longer operate this route, there is even more capacity for pax and cargo. as a consumer, i'd say this is route cancellation is great news.
Last edited by phbl; Feb 9, 2016 at 6:12 am
Feb 10, 2016, 8:51 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Home: Arlington, VA; Home airports: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: Active: AA, UA, DL
Posts: 4,095
It would've been wonderful for ME with another carrier connecting UAE and South Africa non-stop, as I may be flying between those countries in the future. Would've help kept competition in check. Business-wise, I don't have enough information in terms of things being "wonderful" from SA's fiscal point of view.
Now you have a point though that intra-Africa connectivity is lacking. I've read that SA's specialty really is intra-Africa traffic and perhaps they should focus more of their resources in that market.
Now you have a point though that intra-Africa connectivity is lacking. I've read that SA's specialty really is intra-Africa traffic and perhaps they should focus more of their resources in that market.
Feb 11, 2016, 10:44 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
Johan