South African Airways (SAA) has announced that they will be expanding their route network to include Lagos, Nigeria. This new inclusion to SAA’s current network route will take effect from 12 December 2021.
According to AllAfrica, Thomas Kgokolo, SAA’s interim Chief Executive, explained that the move is a part of SAA’s gradual growth strategy after the airline was stagnant for over a year. The inclusion of Lagos will have a positive impact on SAA because it cements a link between South Africa’s and the Nigerian economies.
In September, local flights between Johannesburg and Cape Town resumed with the SAA network route also opening to several other African countries. The airline has emphasised that they expect the continuing revision of international travel restrictions will result in an increase in visitors in South Africa and more activity in both the South African and Nigerian tourism markets.
The addition of Lagos to the SAA network route will be beneficial to South Africa and Nigeria, ultimately strengthening tourism within the African continent with Kgokolo commenting that ‘not only does the new Johannesburg Lagos route function as a key economic link between the two countries but will also service the burgeoning tourism market in both countries. SAA…will continue in partnership with SA Tourism to promote the country in Nigeria in the expectation that it will lead to more visitors now that international pandemic travel restrictions are being revised’
Picture: Wikimedia Commons
ALSO READ:
SAA must secure a private buyer for Mango airline, says business rescue
