South African Airways (SAA) says they will continue with repatriation trips despite business rescue practitioners (BRPs) saying May 8, 2020 was their last day doing so.
In a press release dated May 8 2020, SAA Spokesperson Tlali Tlali said they had no plans to cease operations on the 8th of May, 2020 and would honor all existing commitments to provide air transportation services to its customers and any other requests it receives.
“There are several requests for repatriation flights to operate to North, West and East Africa, the UK, the Middle East, South and North America and the Far East during course of this month that are being considered by the airline,” added Tlali.
In the press release, Interim SAA Executive Chairperson, Thandeka Mgoduso, added that the airline was in ongoing discussions with the Departments of Public Enterprises, and that of the International Relations and Corporation (DIRCO), regarding other destinations where South African citizens may be stranded.
“Further, we are responding proactively in those instances where there is a need for essential humanitarian cargo for our country and for the neighboring states to be uplifted,” expressed Mgoduso.
The carrier said it continues to receive and operationalize requests from various foreign governments who still have their citizens stranded in South Africa.
Since April 3, 2020 SAA has transported more than 9 100 passengers to six continents and more than 870 tons of freight, both export and import consignments which included essential humanitarian cargo.
