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About the airline South African Airways

Photo of South African Airways
Photo of South African Airways
Photo of South African Airways

South African Airways (SAA) is South Africa's major airline. In 2006, South African Airways joined one of the most powerful groups, Star Alliance, a direct competitor to SkyTeam. South African Airways formed its first partnership with subsidiary South African Airways Express and in 1997, South African Airlink joined the two companies to strengthen and develop the air network. South African Airways offers tickets in business or economy class. Economy class offers cheap flights departing from Johannesburg or Cape Town, while the business class primarily targets business travellers.

South African Airways at a glance

SA
Not provided
South Africa
1934
64 Aircraft:
Star Alliance
Voyager
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Airlines

South African Airways and environmental sustainability

Eco-criterion South African Airways

Airports & Travel recognises the positive steps taken by airlines to protect the environment. An Eco-criterion score is displayed as soon as actions to reduce the airline's environmental footprint demonstrate that the airline has reached an initial level of environmental commitment.

Data currently being updated

Average age of the fleet South African Airways

This is the average age of all the aircraft currently operated by the airline, and is updated twice a year.
12.9 years

Examples of top-performing aircraft operated by South African Airways

These are the aircraft listed in the airline’s flight schedule that are recognised for their energy efficiency. Certain technological advancements allow for fuel savings of up to 20% compared with the average fuel consumption of aircraft operating the same type of flights. Using such technology thus reduces planes’ carbon footprint by the same amount.
Airbus A319 Ceo
Airbus A320
Airbus A330-300

Investments for the use of sustainable aviation fuels

Some fuels reduce CO2 emissions by 80% over their life cycle compared with fossil fuels. They are called Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). They can be blended with kerosene in varying quantities. Their large-scale deployment requires significant investment from all stakeholders involved.
No information has been provided by the airline South African Airways

Investment in fleet renewal

Driven by the growing environmental imperative, aircraft coming off production lines are very often more efficient than earlier versions. The same applies to cars. Fleet renewal therefore helps, in this respect, to contain the growth of greenhouse gas emissions.
South African Airways doesn't invest in a more efficient fleet

R&D for a new generation of eco-efficient aircraft

All these investments are for research and development of cutting-edge technologies for tomorrow's aircraft, whether hydrogen-powered, electric or innovatively designed, for the benefit of the environment. This includes funding programmes and partnerships with laboratories and industry partners.
No information has been provided by the airline South African Airways

Carbon offsetting programmes

These are all the programmes in which the airline participates voluntarily or as required to offset its CO2 emissions. The principle is based on purchasing carbon credits that fund environmental programmes reducing the company’s overall footprint. Such carbon credit schemes include the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and CORSIA for international aviation compensation.
The airline South African Airways has no carbon offset programme

Optimisation of flight operations

These are all the actions and investments that enable airlines to optimise their ground and in-flight operations, thereby helping to reduce air transport’s overall energy usage.
South African Airways does not optimise its flight operations.

Other environmental initiatives

All initiatives to preserve the environment are beneficial. Here we list the other environmental actions that the airline has put in place, such as the waste sorting and recycling policy on board, the elimination of single-use plastics and efforts to reduce food waste.
  • Reduction of waste and promotion of recycling on board.
  • Implementation of procedures to save water on board.
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