South African Airways (SAA) has emerged from its troubled past to become a growing contributor to the country’s economy, according to Transport Minister Barbara Creecy. Presenting her department’s budget vote in Parliament, Creecy highlighted the airline’s remarkable turnaround from near-collapse during the state capture era to its current position of financial stability. The national carrier, which was placed under business rescue and temporarily grounded, has restored domestic, continental and international routes while achieving profitability for the first time since 2012.
The minister revealed impressive economic projections for SAA, citing an Oxford Economics Africa study showing the airline contributed R9.1 billion to GDP in 2023/24, with expectations this will grow to R32.6 billion by 2029/30. Employment supported by SAA operations is forecast to increase from 25,000 to 86,700 jobs over the same period. The airline reported a R252 million profit in 2022/23 and has completed three of four outstanding audits. Now operating without government guarantees, SAA is self-funding its operations and fleet expansion while remaining open to strategic equity partnerships.
Creecy also outlined infrastructure investments, with R21.7 billion allocated to Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) for upgrades including a new freight terminal at OR Tambo International Airport. The department is addressing jet fuel availability and modernising airport facilities nationwide. On road infrastructure, SANRAL has taken over 3,099km of provincial roads for maintenance, while the driver’s licence card printing backlog is being cleared after repairs to the machine, with a backup solution expected within three months through collaboration with Government Printing Works. These developments signal significant progress in South Africa’s transport sector recovery.