South African Airways (SAA) remained committed to providing travel options to and from Argentina in spite of next year’s withdrawal of regular SAA flights to the South American country, the SAA said Saturday.Although the national carrier is to discontinue its own operated flights to Buenos Aires on 28 March 2014, SAA customers will still be able to travel between both countries through numerous flights
operated by SAA partners in South America, the flag carrier said.
“Before discontinuing any route, SAA takes into account a number of factors that include, but are not limited to, the possible consequences of stopping flights, with due consideration given to how
a particular market can still be served,� SAA Chief Executive Officer Monwabisi Kalawe said.
Declining passenger volumes and the current economic conditions, like the depreciation of the local rand currency against the US dollar over the last 12 months, as well as high fuel costs, have played a role in the carrier’s decision to “rationalise SAA’s long haul network,â€� Kalawe said.
SAA customers would still be able to conveniently connect to and from various destinations in Argentina via Sà£o Paulo in Brazil, where SAA currently operates 11 weekly flights, he added.
SAA has implemented agreements with fellow Star Alliance partners and other major airlines operating between Sà£o Paulo and Buenos Aires, as well as to and from other key South American destinations in efforts to continue offering proper connectivity in the region.