South African Airways (SAA) continues to make progress with the implementation of its well-articulated route rationalisation plans by effecting enhancements to its Mauritius route. The enhancements enable SAA to offer its customers more seats on its operations on this route on the most popular days of the week.
“Mauritius is one of our most popular destinations for both business and leisure travel in our route network which has prompted us to add more seats on those days of the week when demand is at its highest.
“The wide-bodied aircraft operations serve as replacement of the narrow body capacity and frequencies that have been adjusted on some days on the Mauritius flights in line with our objective of efficient utilisation of our aircraft and as part of our network remediation,” says Tlali Tlali, SAA Spokesperson.
SAA has made strides with the schedule and network enhancements which are in line with the implementation of its Five-Year Corporate Plan. Implementation of the Five-Year Plan seeks to return the company to financial sustainability in the shortest time possible.
SAA currently serves the Johannesburg to Mauritius route with a two-class configured Airbus A320 aircraft offering 24 Business class seats and 114 seats in Economy class. With effect from Monday, 08 January 2018, SAA will introduce wide-bodied aircraft to operate on this route. The Airbus A330 generation aircraft will offer a two-class cabin configuration, with increased seat availability. Business class will range from 36 to 46 while economy class seats will range from 186 to 203. The A340-300 will operate cabin configuration of 38 business class seats and 215 economy class seats.
“The Mauritius route performance has shown steady growth and an increase in customer requirements over the years and South African Airways remains committed to responding to travel needs of our valued customers. Some of the features that our customers may look forward to will include lie-flat bed option in business class on the respective wide-bodied aircraft range that will soon operate. The A320 will operate two times a week between the island and South Africa,” explains Tlali.
The wide-body aircraft on Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays will mean that seven (7) out of SAA’s nine (9) frequencies to Mauritius will be operated using wide-body aircraft.
The changes, effective 8 January 2018, are as follows:
- SA192/193 and SA190/191 on Thursdays and Sundays will now operate as one flight, SA190/191 on Airbus A340 with scheduled departure from Johannesburg at 09h40;
- SA190/191 on Fridays will now operate an Airbus A330 with the scheduled departure time remaining unchanged.
