The airline plans to resume flights to the US East Coast.

South African Airlines is in the midst of transformational time. As carriers evolved, they began using the fifth Friedom flight to witness new services on the US East Coast. Although no official routes have been announced yet, career leadership has expressed interest in serving US eastern destinations through Ghana.

Ghana is a key market for South African Airlines with or without ongoing service to the US. Because of its close relationship, the country's Accra capital continues to become a commercially available carrier without government support, making it an important part of the network strategy. But when will new US services begin and which US destinations are most likely to launch South African airlines?

The new US service can be launched as soon as next year

According to Myjoyonline.com, South Africa Airlines CEO Professor John Lamora suggested that the carrier is aiming to launch new services from Johannesburg to the US East Coast via a stop in Accra, Ghana. The regulatory process may take long for carriers to obtain route approval, but South African aviation is working to make new connections possible. This announcement comes as South African aviation continues to change from the brink of financial failure.

The fifth Friedum Flight is a unique type of operation that allows airlines to fly between two destinations in a country where the airline is not based. South African aviation is already financially independent and is becoming an airline of choice for African travelers as it aims to become a major African aviation powerhouse. In a statement to local media, Lamora explained:

“Now, South Africa Airlines (SAA) is emerging as a rebuilt, revitalized airline with updated missions, renewing its fleet to expand its routes, seize its position as one of the main global brands of the continent, as far as aviation is concerned. As the national flagship of South Africa, a national airline, there is no need to rely on the state for financial survival.

Will South African destinations be first launched?

As South Africa Airlines wants to start US services from its Johannesburg hub, the carrier has several destinations that can support long-distance services from South Africa. Using data from the OAG Traffic Analyzer between July 2023 and July 2024, it is clear that New York City is a much larger market with over 92,000 passengers traveling between cities. You can choose from two airports, JFK Airport, New York

and Newar Liberty International Airport

this could very well be a target for South Africa.

Subsequently in New York is Atlanta. Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport

. Over the past year, 31,000 passengers have traveled between cities. However, unlike New York, Atlanta is not a hub for Star Alliance partners, so South Africa cannot sell its itinerary to other destinations in the Southeast Hub.

Ultimately, the size of the US market from Johannesburg is a key factor in determining the route South African Airlines will begin. The airline will soon connect Accra with Cape Town. That means South Africa may also be interested in running its fifth Friedom flight from there. Last year, the largest US markets from Johannesburg and Cape Town were:

South Africa's fleet is limited, but capable

According to Chaviation, South African aviation has a small fleet. Airline aircraft are primarily narrow body jets, with several wide body aircraft that improve flexibility and capabilities over airline long-distance flights. There are currently 12 airlines Airbus A320

Jet runs short-distance businesses around South Africa.

Meanwhile, the airline has a total of four widebody jets, some of which will undoubtedly be used for the airline's upcoming US flights. There are two airbuses Airbus A330-300

Jets, and two A340-300 jets. Carrier also easily operated the next-generation Airbus A350 aircraft, but economic issues forced carriers to withdraw from service. Although it is a small fleet, South Africa has the ability to operate long-distance flights and short-distance feeder networks.

As South African Airlines continues to expand, the fifth Fridom flight to the US appears to be imminent. With less independence between competent aircraft and financial, carriers are ready and want to expand the network and importance of aviation in Africa.