South African Airways (SAA) has announced plans to resume scheduled flights to Accra and some part of Africa from September 23, 2021.

The airline is resuming operations after it was force to ground all its fleets in 2019 because of worsening financial situation and Covid-19.

Earlier this month, the South African aviation regulators restored the operating licence of the airline, paving the way for it to resume services.

Ticket sales resume from 26th August and SAA will initially operate flights from Johannesburg to Cape Town, Accra, Kinshasa, Harare, Lusaka and Maputo.

The airline said it will add more destinations in response to market conditions.

Interim Chief Executive  of South African Airline, Thomas Kgokolo said  “after months of diligent work, we are delighted that SAA is resuming services and we look forward to welcoming on board our loyal passengers and flying the South African flag.”

He stressed that “there is a profound feeling of enthusiasm within Team SAA as we prepare for take-off, with one common purpose – to rebuild and sustain a profitable airline that once again takes a leadership role among local, continental, and international airlines.”

SAA entered a formal business rescue process in late 2019, but efforts to restructure the carrier were further complicated by the Covid-19 pandemic’s disruption to global travel. 

The airline came out of the business rescue process in April 2021 and the South African government agreed a deal to sell a 51% stake in the airline to a consortium of local investors in June.