Tag Archives: South African

Boeing and South African Airways to use tobacco plants for biofuel

Boeing (Chicago, Seattle and Charleston) and South African Airways (SAA) (Johannesburg) has announced that South African farmers will soon harvest their first crop of energy-rich tobacco plants, an important step towards using the plants to make sustainable aviation biofuel.

Boeing and SAA, along with partners SkyNRG and Sunchem SA, also officially launched Project Solaris, their collaborative effort to develop an aviation biofuel supply chain with a nicotine-free tobacco plant called Solaris. In Limpopo province, company representatives and industry stakeholders visited commercial and community farms where 123 acres (50 hectares) of Solaris have been planted.

Oil from the plant’s seeds may be converted into bio-jet fuel as early as next year, with a test flight by SAA as soon as practicable.

“SAA continues to work towards becoming the most environmentally sustainable airline in the world and is committed to a better way of conducting business,” said Ian Cruickshank, Environmental Affairs Specialist, SAA Group. “The impact that the biofuel program will have on South Africans is astounding: thousands of jobs mostly in rural areas, new skills and technology, energy security and stability and macro-economic benefits to South Africa, and of course, a massive reduction in the amount of CO2 that is emitted into our atmosphere.”

“It is very exciting to see early progress in South Africa towards developing sustainable aviation biofuel from energy-producing tobacco plants,” said J. Miguel Santos, managing director for Africa, Boeing International. “Boeing strongly believes that our aviation biofuel collaboration with South African Airways will benefit the environment and public health while providing new economic opportunities for South Africa’s small farmers. This project also positions our valued airline customer to gain a long-term, viable domestic fuel supply and improve South Africa’s national balance of payments.”

The farm visits followed the announcement in August that Boeing, SAA and SkyNRG were collaborating to make aviation biofuel from the Solaris plant, which was developed and patented by Sunchem Holding. If the test farming in Limpopo is successful, the project will be expanded in South Africa and potentially to other countries. In coming years, emerging technologies are expected to increase aviation biofuel production from the plant’s leaves and stems.

Sustainable aviation biofuel made from Solaris plants can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by 50 to 75 percent, ensuring it meets the sustainability threshold set by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB). Airlines have conducted more than 1,600 passenger flights using aviation biofuel since the fuel was approved for commercial use in 2011.

Boeing is the industry leader in global efforts to develop and commercialize sustainable aviation biofuel. In addition to its collaboration in Southern Africa, Boeing has active biofuel development projects in the United States, Middle East, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, Brazil and Australia.

Copyright Photo: Paul Denton/AirlinersGallery.com. South African is a large Boeing 737 operator and the test is likely to be performed on a Boeing 737-800. Boeing 737-844 ZS-SJS (msn 32632) arrives back at the Johannesburg hub.

South African aircraft slide show:

http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-Africa-2/Airlines-Africa2-GZ/South-African-Airways

South African to switch to the newer Airbus A330-200s on the London Heathrow route, switches to Virgin Australia

South African Airways (Johannesburg) starting on March 28, will be operating a newer aircraft, the Airbus A330-200 on scheduled flights between London Heathrow and Johannesburg.

The newer aircraft replaces the current A340-600 used on the route and will operate on flight SA 235, the first of SAA’s two daily departures at 1900 and selected SA 237 flights, which departs at 2100.

In other news, South African has announced that it has accepted QANTAS Airways’ (Sydney) decision to conclude their long standing code share agreement effective May 31, 2014.

SAA has been flying to Sydney for more than 27 years before the code share with QANTAS was put in place in October 2000 following the strategic decision for SAA to stop operating between Johannesburg and Sydney with its own aircraft and to begin code sharing with QANTAS.

As a result, South African has announced a new code share agreement with Virgin Australia Brisbane).

SAA flies daily between Johannesburg and Perth and this new partnership offers SAA customers expanded access across Australia to domestic destinations such as Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide. The new code share is now available for travel starting on February 11.

Virgin Australia has been an interline partner of SAA since July 2010 where the two airlines had a commercial agreement to handle those customers travelling on both airlines. SAA is now expanding this relationship into a code share agreement.

The flag carrier is celebrating its 80th anniversary this month. South African Airways dates back to February 1, 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 November 1, 1934, SAA introduced the Junkers Ju 52/3m, the first multi-engine aircraft, which was used on domestic flights. During the 1930s, the airline steadily acquired more planes, including the first 10-seater Junkers Ju 86s, Douglas DC-3s, Lockheed 749A Constellations, Lockheed Lodestars, Douglas DC-7Bs, Vickers Viscounts and the Boeing 707.

Copyright Photo: Paul Denton/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A330-243 ZS-SXX (msn 1223) approaches the runway at the O.R. Tambo International Airport base near Johannesburg.

South African:

South African Airways to operate nonstop flights to New York (JFK) now starting on March 9

South African Airways (Johannesburg) has announced that it is resuming its nonstop flights between Johannesburg, South Africa, and New York – JFK International Airport. The nonstop flight will resume on March 9, nearly three weeks ahead of its original schedule of March 28.

While SAA’s New York-Johannesburg flight has continued to operate on a nonstop daily basis, the return flight has been temporarily making a one hour refuelling stop in Dakar, Senegal, due in part to lower travel demand during the winter months. The nonstop flight will be timed to arrive in New York in the early morning, allowing customers to quickly connect on flights to points throughout North America.

The nonstop flight schedule is as follows (all times are local):

Flight SA 203 departs Johannesburg at 8:25 pm (2025), arrives New York JFK at 6:40 am (0640) the next day Flight SA 204departs New York JFK at 11:15 am (1115), arrives Johannesburg at 8:00 am (0800) the next day.

Copyright Photo: Paul Denton/AirlinersGallery.com. South African Airways’ Airbus A340-642 ZS-SNH (msn 626) departs from the Johannesburg hub.

South African Airways:

JetBlue Airways and South African Airways begin code-sharing

JetBlue Airways (New York) and South African Airways (SAA) (Johannesburg) have launched their bilateral code-share agreement.

JetBlue is now placing its “B6” code on SAA-operated flights between the U.S. and Johannesburg, South Africa, as well as on connecting flights to select destinations beyond Johannesburg including Cape Town, Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

SAA flies each day between both New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Washington’s Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport

Via its Johannesburg hub, SAA links the world to most cities and destinations across southern Africa and the Indian Ocean islands, including South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, and Zambia.

Beginning in 2014, JetBlue will debut Mint, the carrier’s new premium offering, featuring the longest lie-flat bed in domestic business class and the only private suites on the New York-Los Angeles and New York-San Francisco routes.

At JFK Airport, JetBlue operates from its Terminal 5, while SAA operates from the adjacent Terminal 4, allowing for fast and easy connections between flights.

At Washington Dulles, both JetBlue and SAA are co-located in Concourse B.

Top Copyright Photo: James Helbock/AirlinersGallery.com. Standing out in the red FDNY special livery, Airbus A320-232 N615JB (msn 2461) arrives at Los Angeles International Airport.

JetBlue Airways:

South African Airways:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. South African Airways’ Airbus A340-313X ZS-SXE (msn 646) leaves the runway at Washington Dulles International Airport.

South African Airways takes delivery of two new Airbus A320s

South African Airways (SAA) (Johannesburg) has taken delivery of its first two new Airbus A320s out of a total of 20 A320 Family aircraft ordered from Airbus in 2010. The development is set to deliver cost efficiencies and allow SAA to expand its Sub-Sahara regional route network and boost revenue in the rapidly growing market.

The airline’s A320s, powered by IAE-V2500 engines, feature a two class cabin layout, seating 24 passengers in business class and 114 in economy. The A320s will replace its present fleet of 737-800s and will augment the A319s it already has in service and mark the latest phase of SAA’s fleet modernization plan.

Copyright Photo: Paul Denton/AirlinersGallery.com. SAA currently already operates 2 Airbus A320s and 13 Boeing 737-800s. Airbus A320-232 ZS-SZZ (msn 4990) arrives at the Johannesburg hub.

South African Airways:

Air Seychelles and South African Airways sign a code-share agreement

Air Seychelles (Mahé), the national airline of the Republic of Seychelles, on April 25 announced that it has entered into a code-share agreement with South African Airways (SAA) (Johannesburg), the national airline of the Republic of South Africa.

The first phase of the agreement will see South African Airways place its “SA” code on Air Seychelles’ non-stop flights between Johannesburg and Seychelles. South African Airways will also place its code on flights between the two largest islands of Seychelles, Mahé and Praslin, subject to approvals.

Subsequent to the launch of the partnership between Air Seychelles and SAA, the airlines will look into expanding the agreement to include Air Seychelles placing its ‘HM’ code on South African Airways’ non-stop flights between Johannesburg and destinations across South Africa.

Ticket sales are set to open on April 29, for travel from April 30.

The deal follows a strategic move by Air Seychelles to increase its connectivity throughout South Africa and continental Africa.

In March 2013, Air Seychelles introduced an enhanced schedule and additional weekly service on its Johannesburg route, bringing the flights to three return services per week with daytime departures and arrivals. The new schedule greatly enhances leisure and business travelers’ ability to connect seamlessly on both airlines across Africa and South Africa, particularly to Cape Town and Durban.

Top Copyright Photo: Rainer Bexten. Airbus A330-243 A6-EYY (msn 751) arrives at Johannesburg. The aircraft is wet leased from strategic partner Etihad Airways.

Air Seychelles:

South African Airways:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Terry Wade. South African is planning to retire its last Airbus A340-200 in late May. The SAA A340s are some of the oldest A340s flying. The pictured A340-212 ZS-SLB (msn 011) arrives at London (Heathrow).

US Airways and South African Airways expand their codeshare agreement

US Airways (Phoenix) and fellow Star Alliance member South African Airways (Johannesburg) today announced a new bilateral codeshare agreement after receiving approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Transport – South Africa. Flights are currently available for sale for travel beginning on December 19.

US Airways customers will gain access to destinations throughout South Africa with the new agreement and to Dakar, Senegal pending final government approval, along with the convenience of a single-ticket purchase. Conversely, customers traveling on South African Airways will also receive expanded access to and throughout the United States. US Airways customers will continue to have the ability to earn and redeem Dividend Miles on these new codeshare flights. South African Airways customers will also continue to earn and redeem miles as a member of the Voyager Frequent Flyer program.

US Airways customers will have access to South African Airways’ hub in Johannesburg as well as convenient connections to Cape Town, Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth in South Africa. Customers will also have access to Dakar, Senegal via South African Airways’ Washington-Dulles to Johannesburg. South African Airways customers will have access to US Airways’ hub cities of Charlotte, N.C., Philadelphia and Phoenix as well as various destinations within the United States. Specific connection information is below:

New Connections for US Airways Customers on South African Airways

New Connections for South African Airways Customers on US Airways

To Johannesburg, South Africa (JNB) from:

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
New York’s JFK International Airport (JFK)
Frankfurt, Germany (FRA)
London’s Heathrow International Airport (LHR)
Munich, Germany (MUC)

To Dakar, Senegal (DKR)* from:

Continue from JNB to:

Cape Town, South Africa (CPT)
Durban, South Africa (DUR)
East London, South Africa (ELS)
Port Elizabeth, South Africa (PLZ)

To Philadelphia (PHL) from:

To Charlotte, N.C. (CLT) from:

IAD
JFK
Denver (DEN)
Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Las Vegas (LAS)
Los Angeles (LAX)
Miami (MIA)
Chicago O’Hare International (ORD)
San Francisco (SFO)
San Diego (SAN)

To Phoenix (PHX) from:

*Route is pending final government approval.

Top Copyright Photo: Keith Burton. Boeing 767-2B7 ER N251AY (msn 24764) of US Airways lifts off from Heathrow Airport near London.

US Airways:

South African Airways:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Paul Denton. South African Airways operates both Airbus and Boeing narrow-body airliners on domestic and regional routes. Airbus A319-131 ZS-SFJ (msn 2379) prepares to land at the Johannesburg hub.

Air Canada and South African Airways sign a code share agreement

Air Canada (Montreal) and South African Airways (SAA) (Johannesburg) have announced today a code share agreement that will make it substantially easier for customers to travel between Canada and South Africa . Effective December 13, 2012 , customers connecting between the carriers in London or New York will be able to book a single itinerary and make seamless connections. In addition, as both airlines belong to the Star Alliance , customers can benefit from reciprocal frequent flier accumulation or redemption and lounge access for eligible customers.

SAA will code share on Air Canada-operated flights between London and Vancouver , London and Toronto , and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Toronto (including flights operated by Air Canada Express). Air Canada will in turn code share on SAA-operated services between London and Johannesburg , New York and Johannesburg , and Johannesburg and Cape Town .

With both airlines being members of Star Alliance , the world’s largest airline network, customers will continue to enjoy the benefit of earning and redeeming frequent flier miles through Aeroplan or the SAA Voyager program when flying on the code share services and throughout their respective global networks.

Top Copyright Photo: Paul Denton. Boeing 767-333 ER C-FMWQ (msn 25584) of Air Canada arrives at Geneva.

Air Canada:

South African Airways:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Paul Denton. South African’s Boeing 737-85F ZS-SJM (msn 30476) arrives at the Johannesburg hub. SAA operates both the Airbus A319/A320 and Boeing 737-800 aircraft groups on domestic and regional routes.

South African Airways introduces its 2012 London Olympics logojet

South African Airways (Johannesburg) brought its newly-decorated Airbus A340-313X registered as ZS-SXD (msn 642) to London (Heathrow) for the first time. ZS-SXD is painted in a special 2012 London Olympics color scheme.

The aircraft was officially unveiled on July 18. South African issued the following statement:

“South African Airways on July 18, 2012 revealed the fully branded aircraft that will fly Team South Africa and officials to the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 19, 2012. The spectacular design painted on the aircraft was created by Adri le Roux, a first year design student at Stellenbosch University.

The long-haul Airbus A340-300 is set to cause a splash at international airports with its bold and colorful images of South African swimmers, runners, soccer players and other sports stars.

SAA issued a public competition challenging South African youth of ages 13-21 to design an iconic visual which captures the spirit of South Africa. The judging criteria included creative flair and an eye for design. Furthermore, the simplicity and longevity of the design was considered, with the third and final criteria being how the design compliments SAA’s internationally recognised branding.

The design of the aircraft is colorful and vibrant and uses the colors of the South African flag to create brush strokes covering the plane. The sportsmen and women in the stroke illustrate the speed and excellence with which the SA Olympic team performs on the field.

As an official air transportation partner to the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), SAA will fly athletes and officials to London for the Olympics, which takes place from July 27, 2012 to August 12, 2012. SAA will also fly athletes and participants to the Paralympics, scheduled for August 29, 2012 to September 9, 2012.

Adjudication of the competition to design the Olympic aircraft’s special livery was conducted by a panel of technical, arts, and design professionals. On the panel were South Africa’s National Herald Mr. Themba Mabaso, SAA Technical Senior Engineering Analyst: Mr. JJ Pretorius, Vega School of Arts lecturer Mr. Matthew Partridge, and Mr. Steve Knapp, Art Director at Brand Activation. The results were audited by Ernst and Young, SAA’s auditing firm.”

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