SAA postpones introduction of Airbuses

SOUTH AFRICAN Airways will postpone the introduction of its three new Airbus A340-600 aircraft on the planned long-haul routes to mid-January, after they have been 'testedÕ on domestic routes. It will mean a temporary upsurge in freight capacities on the internal services while the newcomers are being flown between Johannesburg and the coastal destinations of Durban and Cape Town . The aircraft were expected to be airborne on international routes in December, but SAA officials have held back because they were not satisfied with the seats and interior fittings which are being upgraded. The airline bought the aircraft last year at what it terms 'a bargain priceÕ as part of its plan to replace its existing Boeings with an Airbus fleet on both international and domestic routes. The aircraft were in the construction stages on order from Swissair before that airline filed for bankruptcy.