A South African Airlines airplane ready for departure, symbolizing African connectivity and representation in global aviation.
It had disappeared from our skies altogether in September 2020, having fallen victim not just to Covid but also another disease that has plagued some other state-run carriers – corruption and mismanagement. However, its handling of finances has recently come in for severe criticism by the country’s public spending watchdog. In a scathing report, Auditor-General said that the financial statements SAA had drawn up dating from the 2018-19 financial year lacked credibility. The airline recorded losses in the four years from 2018 of a staggering $1.2bn. It did return in September 2021, making a surprise profit serving a limited number of African destinations after coming out of voluntary business rescue. This was a process which saw the airline placed under the temporary supervision of experts who were asked to return the company to financial health. They pared back the fleet from 44 aircraft to six and focused on the African market.
SOURCE: BBC