South African Airways (SAA) is likely to improve its operating profit during the current financial year, while the airline is considering purchasing the Airbus A380 ”super-jumbo” in the coming years, SAA chief executive Andre Viljoen announced in France on Thursday.
Viljoen was speaking in Toulouse, south-western France, where he will take delivery of the first plane of SAA’s new Airbus fleet on Friday night. South Africa’s national carrier has ordered 41 new Airbus aircraft to be delivered over the next 10 years, which will replace its ageing, mostly Boeing, aircraft.
Viljoen told journalists the company’s improved performance was, however, dependent on the market remaining constant.
In 2001, SAA reported an operating loss of more than R1-billion, but made a turnaround the following year. In the nine months ended December 2002, SAA had already recorded an operating profit of R381-million, Viljoen said.
Had the new Airbus fleet been in place for the current financial year, ending March 2003, the operating profits would have quadrupled due to cost savings the planes offer.
Viljoen added the company was looking into purchasing the super-jumbo, which could replace SAA’s eight Boeing 747-400s.
The A380 has the largest seat capacity of any commercial airliner, carrying up to 550 people.
A number of airlines have already placed orders for the aircraft, which is due to enter service in 2005. The final assembly construction line is currently being completed in Toulouse.
Airbus made $3,5-billion from the deal with SAA, which Viljoen described as a deep partnership.
On Friday, the chief executive will receive the A340-600, while the next plane is expected to be delivered next week. The two aircraft will be flown in South Africa for a few weeks and will then be used for SAA’s Hong Kong and Frankfurt routes. The new plane will arrive in South Africa on Saturday morning. – Sapa