SAA’s inaugural flight to Abu Dhabi yesterday (March 29) is a game changer for the airline, Louis Du Plessis, head of Global Sales and Alliances toldeTNW on board the flight.
The significance of the flight is a result of the unusually close relationship SAA is forging with Gulf carrier Etihad, which is based in Abu Dhabi. The relationship goes beyond codeshare arrangements, with co-operation over interchangeable pricing in place.
To improve connection options, the two airlines have co-ordinated the double-daily flights between Johannesburg and Abu Dhabi.
SAA already codeshares on Etihad flights onward to 32 destinations, with more being added. An example is India, where now SAA can offer flights to five additional Indian destinations over and above Mumbai.
The main beneficiaries of the new arrangement will be South Africans flying to the Middle East and Asia, including destinations such as Bangkok and Singapore.