The Skytrax World Top 100 Airlines chart has been released and things go from bad to worse for SAA.
Picture: Getaway Gallery
SAA’s troublesome few years have finally caught up with them. From fierce financial losses, which forced it into business rescue, to the pandemic that crippled the entire global aviation sector, SAA’s road to renewal has been very turbulent to say the least.
And although the airline has re-emerged as a much leaner carrier, its future, seemingly dependant on a strategic equity partnership deal with Takatso Consortium, remains uncertain.
The SAA’s financial and operational challenges have been reflected in the airline’s dramatic slide down the Skytrax World Top 100 Airlines chart. Revealed at the 2022 World Airline Awards, held in London on Friday, the latest survey results show SAA sliding to 79 on the list of top 100 airlines, dropping an astounding 12 points.
Picture: Getaway Gallery
Amongst the top winners were Qatar Airways which went home with the Best Airline Award, followed by Singapore Airlines and the Emirates in the top 3.
Singapore Airlines won the Best Cabin Staff followed by ANA All Nippon Airways and Garuda Indonesia for the top 3 spots.
Over the past decade of the Skytrax awards, SAA’s position peaked at 21 in 2013. At the time South Africa’s national carrier was rated better than British Airways, KLM, Virgin Atlantic, and Air France. The drop to 79th is the worst position SAA has ever received since the award’s inception over two decades ago.
Picture: Gift Habeshaw.
Ethiopian Airlines however has emerged as the rankings dark horse. A decade ago they weren’t even listed amongst the world’s top carriers, coming in at 114. But where SAA’s position has slipped over the last four years, Ethiopian Airlines have climbed. In the latest Skytrax ratings, Ethiopian Airlines improved to 26th place in the global standings.
SAA held the top spot for 14 consecutive years, up until 2017, when it was overtaken by the continent’s largest and most profitable carrier, Ethiopian. South Africa’s flag carrier came second to Ethiopian Airlines for three consecutive years and, in 2022, for the first time on record, fell to third place on the continent, overtaken by Morocco’s national carrier Royal Air Maroc.
Ethiopian Airlines have been holding onto the top spot for “Best Airline in Africa” for a fifth consecutive year. The carrier was voted as the continent’s best business class and economy class for the fourth year in a row while also picking up the top spot for “Best Business Class Onboard Catering in Africa”.
‘It gives me great pleasure to witness such a rewarding event to the hard work Ethiopian Airlines employees and management team put in order to provide our valued passengers the best quality service,’ said the CEO Mesfin Tasew in a statement on Friday.
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