South African Airways (SAA) has announced an increase in its flights between Johannesburg and Perth, offering more options for travelers connecting Africa and Western Australia.
A Growing Route
After resuming its Perth services in January 2024 with three weekly flights following a four-year hiatus, SAA added a fourth service in December 2024. Beginning January 7, 2025, the airline will further expand to five weekly flights on the route, responding to rising demand.
SAA operates its Johannesburg-Perth service using a two-class Airbus A340-300, accommodating:
- 38 business class seats in a 2-2-2 lie-flat configuration.
- 215 economy class seats in a 2-4-2 layout.
Enhancing Connectivity
Perth Airport’s Chief Commercial and Aviation Officer, Kate Holsgrove, celebrated the additional flights, emphasising the positive impact on travel and cultural connections between the regions:
“The increase to five services per week on the airline’s Airbus A340-300 aircraft will result in 131,560 seats being available on the route per year. This is great news for Western Australian residents with family connections in South Africa and for those looking to explore the African continent.”
Strategic Fleet Growth
SAA’s long-haul fleet currently includes four aircraft: two Airbus A340-300s and two A330-300s. With two additional A330-300s set to join the fleet in 2025, the airline is steadily rebuilding its capacity.
The Johannesburg-Perth route complements SAA’s existing long-haul network, which includes flights to São Paulo, Brazil. Regionally, SAA has also expanded its A320 operations to destinations within a four-hour radius, including Accra, Harare, Lagos, Lusaka, and Kinshasa.
In December 2024, SAA resumed flights to Lubumbashi, and January 2025 will see the return of services to Dar es Salaam, further boosting its regional footprint.
Supporting the South African Diaspora
Australia is home to one of the largest South African expatriate communities worldwide, with 2021 census data reporting 189,207 Australian residents born in South Africa. The increase in SAA’s Perth services offers a direct and reliable connection for this significant population, bridging family ties and enabling business and leisure travel.
A Resilient Recovery
SAA’s return to Perth and its continued expansion underscore its resilience and recovery following the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and a rigorous business rescue process. Since its relaunch in September 2021, the airline has cautiously rebuilt its international network, with milestones like resuming its Cape Town-São Paulo route in October 2023 and Johannesburg-Perth flights in April 202.
South African Airways’ expansion of its Perth services reflects its commitment to providing seamless connectivity between Africa and Australia. The additional flights not only benefit South Africans and Australians but also strengthen cultural and economic ties between the two continents, ensuring that SAA remains a key player in the global aviation industry.
