JOHANNESBURG: South African Airways (SAA) is saddened by the liquidation of Nigeria Airways, our former alliance partner with whom we still have a commercial agreement.
South African Airways flies three times a week to Lagos, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
We have not been approached by the airline for assistance. If we were to be approached, we will treat them as we have treated other investments elsewhere on the African continent.
Such investments are concluded either unfavourably or favourably after assessments by South African Airways’ Strategy, Planning, Networks and Revenue Management and Alliances and Aero-political Affairs departments.
Two months ago officials from SAA and Nigeria Airways held discussions about possibilities of joint ventures. The discussions were supposed to continue after the Nigerian parliamentary and presidential elections.
We are glad that Nigeria’s National Council on Privatisation has been asked to look into the possibility of establishing a private airline that can be the national carrier within the next month. We wish them well in their deliberations.
We look forward to working with the new airline and a deeper relationship with its officials, whenever it is formed.
ISSUED BY ANDRE VILJOEN SAA PRESIDENT AND CEO
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