/ 2021
- Flying in a holding pattern as cash burns
- [AASA CEO INTERVIEW] The future of South Africa's aviation industry
- AASA CEO: Southern African domestic markets to recover by 2023, international by 2024
- [SA Flyer Magazine INTERVIEW] Wrenelle Stander - New AASA CEO
- [PROFILE] Woman in Aviation: Wrenelle Stander
- Recovery of aviation in Africa will take time, says new industry body CEO
- South Africa moves to Alert Level 3
- Airline industry looks to tax waivers, wage subsidies to recover from COVID-19 blow
- Alert Level 4 extended by two more weeks
- New CEO for AASA
- AASA appoints Wrenelle Stander as CEO
- Wrenelle Stander appointed CEO of AASA
- Former Comair chief takes the reins at AASA
- AASA announces its new CEO
- Wrenelle Stander appointed as AASA CEO
- Why are flights not banned under Level 4? Fikile Mbalula clears the air
- SA moves to alert level 4 for 14 days
- Ramaphosa moves country to alert level 2 as Covid-19 infections surge
- Local aviation legend Chris Zweigenthal to retire, still sees 'lots of work to be done
- South African aviation icon Chris Zweigenthal set to retire from AASA
- Chris Zweigenthal to retire as AASA CEO
- Renewed call for aviation sector relief
- Aviation sector pleads for state assistance
- AASA urges governments to speed up vaccinations and provide relief to air travel and tourism sector in order to secure economic recovery
- AASA supports IATA's Travel Pass Initiative
- Covid-19 and aviation: Health risks and socioeconomic impact go hand in hand - expert
- New AASA Chairperson and Deputy elected for 2021
- Air Botswana GM Agnes Khunwana appointed as Deputy Chairperson of AASA
- Aviation sector struggles to take off again as SA’s second wave hits
- World Bank sees SA economy growing by 3.3% in 2021
/ 2020
- AASA Chairperson steps down
- [ANALYSIS] For most African carriers, next year will be precarious
- [INTERVIEW] Is the airline industry ready for the festive season?
- [INTERVIEW: Air Transport World] Chris Zweigenthal, AASA CEO
- Aviation industry welcomes new regulations on international travel
- Positive steps but we’re not out of the woods yet, warns AASA
- Re-opening of South Africa to all international tourists: positive steps to drive jobs and economic stimulus - AASA CEO
- [INTERVIEW] AASA CEO welcomes South Africa's relaxation of international travel restrictions
- South Africa’s President Ramaphosa says travel to all international countries now permitted
- Regional airline body calls for travel restrictions to be clear and consistent
- AASA calls for governments to prioritise support for aviation and tourism in southern Africa
- Comair CEO Wrenelle Stander appointed as chairperson of AASA
- World Bank sees sub-Saharan Africa's GDP rebounding in 2021
- Abdullah Verachia, AASA 50th AGM keynote speaker: Reset. Rewire. Reimagine. Everything.
- Financial aid, COVID-19 testing key to aviation’s survival in Southern Africa
- IATA perspective on restart
- Southern Africa airlines association calls for clear, consistent polices on international flights
- Travel restrictions hamper southern Africa’s economic recovery
- Unnecessary restrictions and lack of support for air transport industry will prolong Southern Africa's economic recovery
- Tourism industry says safe travel is possible and urgent
- What to expect from South Africa’s new international travel list: Tourism Minister
- All eyes on Covid travel list as tourism awaits list of countries barred from SA
- Airlines Association of Southern Africa CEO expects low fares as airlines seek to encourage travel
- South Africa to reopen for international travel from 01-Oct-2020
- SA tourism sector cautiously hopeful as borders set to reopen
- [PANEL DISCUSSION] INSOL Virtual: Shelter in Place? The Effects of Lockdown and Beyond on the Travel and Tourism Industry
- Aviation sector begs Ramaphosa to announce reopening of international borders during tonight's address
- United flights – ‘it’s time to open borders to meet demand’
- SA tourism industry ready to welcome back international travellers
- [Interview] Borders need to open as soon as possible – AASA
- AASA/TBCSA call for opening up of international borders
- AASA 50th Virtual AGM via Zoom to be held on 8 October 2020 at 12h00
- Airline hubs in the post-COVID-19 world
- [INTERVIEW] Collaboration: strength in numbers with Chris Zweigenthal
- [WATCH] Dear Travellers - Fly With Confidence
- [WATCH] Africa Tomorrow virtual conference. Panel discussion: The view from the clouds with Africa's Aviation Leaders
- Africa Tomorrow: Reinventing Resilience in Travel, Hospitality and Aviation Virtual Conference
- [AASA Announcement by Chris Zweigenthal, CEO] AASA cancels 50th AGA event
- IATA Interactive Map Gives Travelers Latest COVID-19 Restrictions with Real-time Alerts Available
- Open more airports, routes if SA airlines are to survive - industry body
- Pax planes flying again a good sign for air cargo – AASA
- [AASA Press Release] COVID-19: Resumption of restricted air services a welcome start, but more to do to rebuild the industry and repair the economy
- [OPINION] Come fly with me - but please keep your distance
- IATA, AASA and BARSA call on South Africa’s Government for financial relief to Aviation
- [WATCH] The Aviation Industry In Crisis | Carte Blanche | M-Net
- [WATCH] How will the Southern African airline industry emerge from the COVID-19 crisis?
- SA’s aviation sector fastens its seat belt
- [WATCH] Comair goes into business rescue
- [WATCH] Keeping Africa connected - helping the continent thrive
- Urgent Appeal to International Community to Support African Travel and Tourism Sector
- [WATCH] IATA, UNWTO, WTTC, AFRAA & AASA African airlines Joint Appeal
- SA airline industry in danger of collapse, no sign of state aid
- SA’s aviation industry ‘on verge of collapse’
- Private airlines beg for government rescue
- [WATCH] Business Day TV/COVID-19: Turbulent times for airlines
- [WATCH] State of the local aviation sector: Chris Zweigenthal, CEO of AASA, gives an interview to Business Day TV
- Airlines ask for state aid
- Air transport bodies appeal for responsible action amid Covid-19 disruptions
- AASA Coronavirus press release: Airline travellers urged to practice good hygiene and stay at home if unwell
- Coronavirus (COVID-19): WHO Situation Report - 15 March 2020
- No issues around UBC waiver – Minister
- Air Botswana commits to IATA gender diversity pledge
- Let’s grow tourism: Airline sustainability is key for 2020
- SAA ups its wildlife protection game
/ 2019
- 'SAA business rescue a better option than liquidation and catastrophic collapse'
- Air transport is a key industry, SAA has a big impact, says industry body
- AASA SAA media statement: Industry and economic implications of an SAA Business Rescue
- Call for cool heads as crippling SAA could sound death knell for SA tourism
- Secondary airline strike could be severe blow to economy, warns industry body
- Don't copy US, Europe - give SA customers what they want - airline CEOs
- Battle for talent as over-40s dominate aviation industry - expert
- African airlines have allowed foreign firms to 'eat their lunch' – SAA CEO
- Chris Zweigenthal ASATV interview: Challenges facing African airlines
- Government to scrap the controversial birth certificate regulation
- Unabridged birth certificate requirement expected to be completely scrapped for foreigners - as soon as this week
- 'It seems I am always on standby' – acting SAA chief
- New AASA Chair and Deputy Chair elected at 49th AGA
- Low-cost airlines can boost SA economy - aviation official
- Boeing crash raises serious questions on certification in Africa
- Sustainability, Economic Growth, Focal Topics at 49th AASA AGA
- Southern Africa airlines need liberalisation, scale to achieve profitability
- South Africa: SAA Signs Codeshare Agreement With Brazilian Airline
- 'Game changer for Africa' as leaders launch 'historic' free trade deal
- Mozambique, Zim sign air transport agreement
- Airline Networks & Hubs: SA shows potential despite constraints
- SA aviation: A tale of 2 airline industries, says CEO
- Aviation industry surprised, disappointed at SAA CEO's resignation
- [podcast] Certain African countries hesitant to open up their skies
- SA aviation leader honoured with lifetime award
- Chris Zweigenthal receives the Ato Girma Wake Lifetime Achievement Award at AviaDev
- [video] Aviation Special: The Need for Aviation to Achieve Sustainable Growth in Africa
- African countries still hesitant about open skies - expert
- AviaDev 2019: African aviation leaders confirm their participation
- Airlines plead for exemption from carbon tax
- Aviation Africa Summit 2019: Flying Forward Together
- Chris Zweigenthal to receive the Ato Girma Wake Lifetime Achievement Award at AviaDev
- ERA hosts 2019 global Heads of Airline Associations
AASA STATEMENT/ SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS (SAA)
Industry and economic implications of an SAA Business Rescue
December 5, 2019. Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA)
notes President Ramaphosa’s decision to have South African Airways (SAA) placed
under immediate business rescue, a move that should provide some security and clarity
for South Africa’s air transport, trade, logistics, travel and tourism sectors.
While AASA may not comment on SAA’s business or its shareholder’s decision, it is
important to consider them within the industry and broader socio-economic contexts
within which the sector subsists.
South Africa’s domestic air transport market is one of the most robustly competitive in
Africa, with local carriers engaged in fierce competition. It benefits the entire economy by
providing choice, affordable, safe and reliable connectivity to destinations and markets
throughout the country, while reducing the cost of travel and doing business. It is a situation AASA, its members and crucially, their customers - and presumably also Government - would prefer to see maintained.
There is also a high level of co-dependence across the industry with SAA playing a significant role, such as:
- SAA Technical (SAAT), which, in addition to SAA and Mango, is contracted by BA-Comair and Kulula to maintain their aircraft.
- SAA provides financial administrative and disbursement services to its code-share and franchise partners, SA Express and Airlink.
- The tariffs and charges in respect of the Airports Company South Africa, Air Traffic and Navigation Services, SA Weather Service and SA Civil Aviation Authority are predicated on an expected number of flights and passengers. So too are their capital expenditure infrastructure programs.
- The entire industry value chain, from the airlines, air transport infrastructure and service providers through to the tourism, trade, logistics, engineering and construction sectors require predictability in determining their operations, managing their revenues, cash flow and costs.
- The air transport and tourism industry, which Government has identified as a primary strategic sector to create jobs and drive economic growth, are vulnerable to any sudden loss of market confidence and loss of bookings as a result of cancellations.
This debunks the myth that the air transport industry is a service to the wealthy. On the contrary, it is a socio-economic lynchpin for South Africa and everyone who lives here.
The net effect of any uncontrolled SAA exit, against which the air transport and tourism industries are unable to implement contingency plans, would be slowed, or even negative, economic growth, which will compound fiscal shrinkage.
The Business Rescue scenario must provide the aviation and allied industries the ability to adjust, adapt and ensure that their customers, the markets and communities they serve, are provided with sustainable, competitive, capable, reliable and safe services.
AASA’s members include all of the domestic airlines in South Africa and most airlines in the SADC region and the Indian Ocean islands.
Chris Zweigenthal
Chief Executive
Download the original media statement here...