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The history of South African Airways dates back to 1 February 1934, when the South African government took over the assets and liabilities of Union Airways. The airline was renamed South African Airways (SAA), and fell under the control of the South African Railways and Harbour administration.
On 1 November 1934, SAA introduced Junkers Ju 52/3m, the first multi-engine aircraft, which was used on domestic flights. During the 30s, the airline steadily acquired more planes, including the first 10-seater Junkers Ju 86s, DC-3s, Constellation L-749As, Lockheed Lodestar, DC-7Bs Vickers Viscounts and the Boeing 707.
The outbreak of World War II resulted in SAA being divided into two wings: a defence wing controlled by the Department of Defence and a commercial wing controlled by the Administration. The entire fleet and 22% of its personnel were taken over by the Department of Defence.
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On 24 May 1940, South African Airways became a military wing, and all commercial services were suspended until December 1944. The International Air Transport Association was founded in Havana in April 1945, and SAA became one of 44 active founding members.
SAA modernised in-flight service and entertainment by introducing air hostesses on domestic flights and a cinema on the direct service between Johannesburg and Cape Town.
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The official opening of Jan Smuts International Airport was held in Kempton Park on 17 April 1952. The following year, SAA operated its first Comet Springbok service from London to Johannesburg using a BOAC Comet, and in the process became the first airline outside the UK to operate jet aircraft.
The SAA fleet continued to grow when the Minister of Transport announced his decision to order three Boeing Intercontinental jet aircraft for delivery in 1960.
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The 1960s brought a number of firsts. South African Airways extended its orange tail insignia across the entire fleet. In March 1967, we introduced our first weekly jet service between South Africa and Australia. The following year, we made an inaugural flight from Jan Smuts Airport to Rio de Janeiro using a Boeing 707.
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On 24 April 1976, South African Airways operated the world’s first commercial flight using a Boeing 747SP. The aircraft flew on the Johannesburg-Lisbon-Rome-Athens service.
The 70s welcomed new arrivals: our first Boeing 747B, ZS-SAN ‘Lebombo’ and Airbus ‘Blesbok’. At the same time, we sought to improve our traffic growth on domestic and regional routes by purchasing 12 Boeing 737s, three Boeing 747SPs and four Airbus A300s.
On 6 January 1977, the Boeing 747SP made its first scheduled flight between Johannesburg and Sydney. The flight offered in-flight audio entertainment and movies.
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In April 1981, South African Airways introduced a three-class service for an Australian flight: Blue Diamond First class, Gold class for Business passengers and Silver class for Economy class travellers.
Due to economic sanctions, flights to New York were suspended in November 1986. The USA withdrew from its landing rights in South Africa. The following year, the Australian government took the same action against South Africa.
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The 90s evoked a decade of positive change and renewed relationships. For the first time in 28 years, SAA flights operated via Sudan and Egypt. Economic sanctions against South Africa were lifted, and flights to New York and Australia resumed.
On 25 March 1994, South African Express Airways was granted a license to operate domestically, and South African Airways became a shareholder.
On board domestic flights, SAA introduced multi-lingual greetings in English, Zulu, Sotho and Afrikaans. On international flights, passengers were greeted in the relevant language of their destination.
SAA’s Cadet Pilot Training programme was launched to provide previously disadvantaged individuals an opportunity to become pilots. On 22 March 1997, SAA unveiled a new corporate identity with its aircraft tail designed to reflect the colours of South Africa’s new national flag: red, blue, gold, black and green.
South Africa signed a R1.4 billion deal, giving SAirGroup, the holding company of Swissair, a 20% stake in South African Airways.
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South African Airways embarked on an extensive fleet renewal programme and appointed Airbus as its supplier. The airline placed a staggering order for 41 new aircraft with a price tag of US$3.5 billion - Africa’s biggest jetliner acquisition.
For a simpler, smarter and faster way to check in, SAA launched an online check-in system and a self check-in kiosk.
SAA signed a US$200 million deal with Rolls Royce to supply the airline’s nine A340-600s with Rolls Royce Trent 500 engines.
After an absence of more than 40 years, South Africa was reinstated as a member of the International Civil Aviation Organisation. Thereafter, we became a member of the global Star Alliance in April 2006, and with it came seamless worldwide air travel. In addition, we unveiled two Star Alliance branded aircraft – a 737-800 and Airbus A340-600 – as part of the global network’s requirements.
On 29 November 2007, we became the proud official carrier of the South African rugby team, the Springboks, as part of a sponsorship agreement between the airline and South African Rugby.
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