SAA Expansion

South African Airways (SAA) has unveiled ambitious plans to expand its route network, creating exciting new opportunities for travel agents across Africa. The announcement, made by SAA’s Interim Chief Commercial Officer, Tebogo Tsimane, at Africa’s Travel Indaba in Durban, signals a strategic move to solidify SAA’s position as a major player in the Southern African aviation market and beyond.

SAA’s growth trajectory is underpinned by a substantial fleet expansion. Having grown to 20 aircraft since its 2021 restructuring, the airline plans to add five more in 2025, comprising a mix of Airbus A320s, A330s, and A343s to service its expanding network. This renewed capacity will enable SAA to offer more flight options and enhanced connectivity, creating new avenues for African travel agents to cater to the growing demand for air travel.

The expansion plan includes new domestic routes connecting major South African cities. Flights from Johannesburg to George are scheduled to commence in April 2026, with services from Johannesburg to East London and Cape Town to Durban expected to follow. These additions will strengthen SAA’s domestic presence, providing travel agents with more options for crafting seamless itineraries within South Africa.

SAA is also bolstering its regional presence with new routes connecting Southern Africa to key destinations. Flights from Johannesburg to Gaborone, Botswana, will launch in October 2025, tapping into Botswana’s robust post-pandemic travel recovery. A seasonal service between Cape Town and Mauritius, starting in November 2025, will cater to the peak leisure travel demand between these two popular destinations. These regional additions offer African travel agents the chance to curate attractive travel packages and capitalize on the growing intra-African travel market.

SAA’s global ambitions extend beyond regional expansion, with plans to resume intercontinental flights in 2026. New routes from South Africa to Mumbai, India, and Guangzhou, China, are on the horizon, with connections facilitated through a strategic hub in Southeast Asia. Analysis suggests that Bangkok (BKK), Singapore (SIN), and Kuala Lumpur (KUL) are the most viable hub options, offering efficient connections and potentially shorter flight times. This international expansion opens doors for African travel agents to tap into the lucrative long-haul travel market, offering clients seamless travel experiences to major business and leisure destinations in Asia.

SAA’s financial recovery, marked by a 96% revenue surge in 2022/23 and a further 49% increase in 2023/24, underscores the airline’s renewed strength and stability. This positive financial outlook, coupled with strategic partnerships with major aircraft leasing companies, positions SAA for sustainable growth and provides travel agents with a reliable partner for their client’s travel needs.

The expansion presents significant revenue opportunities for African travel agents. Conservative estimates suggest a total annual commission potential exceeding R600 million across the new routes, with international routes offering the highest commission rates. Travel agents can leverage these opportunities by crafting tailored travel packages, focusing on high-demand travel periods, and building strong relationships with SAA to access competitive fares and exclusive offers.

SAA’s expansion is not without its challenges. The airline will face competition from established carriers on many of its new routes, particularly in the international market. Travel agents will need to stay informed about market dynamics, competitive pricing, and passenger demand to effectively position SAA’s offerings and maximize their earning potential