SAA Turns to Partnerships and Cost Cuts to Weather Rising Fuel Pressure
South African Airways is pursuing a partnership-led strategy to maintain network reach as rising jet fuel costs continue to squeeze the airline's operations. Acting CEO Matshela Seshibe outlined the approach at the 14th Aviation Stakeholders Convention in Johannesburg on 20 May 2026, confirming that SAA has absorbed a portion of recent fuel price increases while passing 50 to 60 per cent on to passengers through higher fares. The airline has already reduced frequencies on its Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha, and Gaborone routes in response, with high refining margins in South Africa compounding the pressure from elevated global crude oil prices.
Despite the near-term headwinds, Seshibe reaffirmed SAA's commitment to African network expansion, noting the airline currently operates on more than 14 routes across the continent with further options under consideration. A recently finalised partnership with CemAir will extend SAA's reach into smaller domestic airports, while the airline also plans to deepen its Star Alliance membership and codeshare agreements to broaden its international footprint. Seshibe was clear that growth would not depend on government funding, describing the strategy as driven by partnership and collaboration on a wider scale - a positioning that will be closely watched by the travel trade as Africa's aviation sector navigates one of its most challenging fuel cost environments in recent years.
Source: Freight News by FTW
