SAA reveals new fleet roll-out plans

THE FREIGHT industry has welcomed South African Airways' (SAA) fleet renewal plans which will see 41 of the European-manufactured Airbus aircraft entering its fleet. "It's in line with our modernisation plans to run faster, more efficient and larger capacity aircraft," said an SAA spokesman. The industry has found the small cargo-capacity Boeing aircraft introduced on the main domestic inter-city routes to be inadequate in handling the airfreight volumes around the country. This has been particularly true on the Cape Town to Johannesburg route where perishable exports have had to travel by road in recent times because air space was so limited. The new fleet will be acquired in a programme of both purchase and leasing arrangements. The initial purchase will be for six Airbus A340-600s - three due this year, and three in 2003. An additional three A340-600s will be leased in the period from 2003 to 2006, followed by another six A340-300e aircraft being leased in 2004/2005. "The leasing of 11 A319-100 aircraft in 2005, and a combined purchase and leasing arrangement for 15 A320-200s will complete the new SAA fleet," said the spokesman. "We have a significant roll-out plan to look forward to, and the new fleet serves a fundamental need for improved efficiencies. This is in line with performance objectives that focus on increased value-creation and customer appreciation in the long term."