President Delays SAA Flights
South African Airways (SAA)’ flights to and from New York via Dakar, Senegal and Ilha do Sal, Cape Verde Island, have been delayed because of the temporary closure of Dakar’s International Airport.
The airport was closed for security reasons necessitated by the visit of US President George Bush to Senegal. The US President is on his way to South Africa.
SA204 carrying 328 passengers out of New York’s JFK Airport on Monday was delayed for 15 hours. The flight left New York this morning (Tuesday) on its way to Johannesburg via Dakar and will arrive on Wednesday morning.
Because of the first delay, SAA’s New York route has been disrupted until Friday. For example, the delay of SA204 has resulted in the delay of today (Tuesday`)‘s SA203 with 244 passengers, which was supposed to fly to New York via Dakar. SA203 on Wednesday will now leave Johannesburg at 1050am.
Wednesday`s SA201 from Johannesburg to New York via Ilha do Sal, Cape Verde Island, will not be affected. However, Thursday`s passengers travelling from Johannesburg to New York via Cape Verde Island will be delayed until Friday. This flight has been delayed because the aircraft being used on the Dakar route is the same aircraft involved in the Monday/Tuesday 15 hour delay.
All passengers have been informed about the delays and the airline apologises for any inconvenienced caused.
SAA`s schedule flights to New York will be back to normal on Friday.
——-