SAA to operate charter flights to repatriate foreign nationals from South Africa

On Monday, 22 March 2020, the South African government took the decision to declare a national lockdown starting at midnight on 26 March 2020, to curb the spread of the Covid-19.

The South African borders were consequently closed and all passenger air travel, with the exception of cargo flights delivering essential supplies, was shut down.

The national lockdown happened with short notice and consequently many foreign passengers, including tourists, workers and students were unable to amend their travel plans to return to their homes, before the effective date of 26 March 2020.

Subsequent to the announcement and the start of the lockdown, representatives of several governments have engaged with the joint BRPs of SAA to consider having SAA provide the safe passage of their citizens to their respective home countries.

These engagements have required the consideration, approval and support of the South African government to implement and taking into account the amended regulations issued by the Department of Transport yesterday.

Following the engagements with various embassies and in consultation with the relevant government departments, SAA has agreed to provide repatriation charter flights to various international destinations.

The first of these chartered flights will be for the repatriation of German citizens to their home country.

They are expected operate from Friday, 3 April 2020 from Johannesburg to Munich and Cape Town to Frankfurt.  The BRPs have confirmed that negotiations are ongoing with other governments for the repatriation of their citizens.

SAA will operate the charter services subject to the health and safety provisions contained in the regulations and other relevant provisions during the lockdown.

To address the health and safety concerns of both passengers and crew and in compliance with the lockdown regulations, SAA wishes to point out the following:

• These flights are commercial in nature to deal with the thousands of passengers who could not be accommodated as a consequence of the immediate lockdown.
• These flights are not for the transportation of individuals who have tested positive for Covid-19 and are not medical evacuation flights.
• Individuals who have tested positive for Covid-19 will not be allowed on any of these flights.
• All passengers would be subject to the screening protocols prior to departure as required by the South African authorities and SAA’s policies.
• Any passengers that presents flu-like symptoms will not be allowed on any of these flights.

“In these difficult times, SAA is committed to collaborating with all its partners and stakeholders in the fight against Covid-19. The airline will ensure the necessary transfer of passengers and essential cargo takes place in a safe and compliant manner for all during these flights”, noted the BRPs.

SAA wishes to thank all its employees who have been requested and undertaken the task to prepare and serve on these flights.