Harare, 30 September 2023 – South African Airways (SAA) continues its inspiring rebound after a challenging period, securing the first runner-up position in the regional Airline category at the prestigious Association of Zimbabwe Travel Agents (AZTA) annual awards held in Harare on Saturday.
Competing against prominent industry players, SAA‘s remarkable achievement highlights the program’s unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction and its commitment to restoring confidence in the market. FastJet claimed the second runner-up position, while Airlink emerged as the winner in the category.
In the esteemed International Airline of the Year category, Emirates soared to victory, while Ethiopian Airlines and Qatar Airways secured second and first runner-up positions, respectively, showcasing their exceptional performance in the industry.
Julia Rewayi, the SAA Country Manager, expressed her excitement about this accolade, considering it a true testament to the airline’s ongoing renaissance. “We are elated to have received this prestigious award following our return to the skies. It serves as a clear indication that we are steadily regaining the trust and confidence of the market, and it underscores our relentless pursuit of commercial sustainability. Our unwavering commitment to delivering excellent customer service, consistent operational efficiency, and effective performance remains at the forefront. These core values will continue to propel us towards excellence,” said Rewayi.
South African Airlines currently offers a comprehensive network of flights, connecting Johannesburg to Accra, Durban, Harare, Lusaka, Lagos, Mauritius, Windhoek, Victoria Falls, and Malawi. Furthermore, exciting developments are on the horizon as SAA plans to launch flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg to Sao Paulo on October 31, 2023, and November 6, 2023, respectively.
“We are immensely grateful to the Association of Zimbabwe Travel Agents for bestowing this recognition upon South African Airlines. We remain unwavering in our commitment to providing exceptional travel experiences for our valued customers,” added Rewayi.
As SAA continues to consolidate its recovery and contribute to the revival of the Zimbabwean tourism sector, the airline recognizes the destination’s progress in the first six months of 2023. With 591,524 international arrivals, Zimbabwe is close to pre-pandemic levels. The airline sees itself as a critical contributor to the destination’s accessibility, playing an integral role in ensuring continued growth.
About SAA Voyager
South African Airlines Voyager is a frequent flyer loyalty programme for SAA, which was launched in 1994 and offers its more than one-million members the opportunity to earn and spend Miles (the programmes reward currency) from 48 programme partners. SAA Voyager boasts more than 30 airline partnerships, including the Star Alliance global network, which gives members access to over 50 global hubs to offer smooth connections across a world-leading global network. SAA was the first African airline to join Star Alliance in 2006.
South African Airlines prides itself on being “more than an airline” and a critical part of the South African story.
