South African Airways (SAA) celebrates its 77th Anniversary in 2011 and is one of the oldest airlines in the world. SAA the proud winner of numerous awards including the Skytrax “Best African Airline” and “Service Excellence Africa” awards for 2011.

The airline was founded on 1 February 1934 after the South African government took over the assets and liabilities of Union Airways, which up until then operated as an air mail service. It was named South African Airways and fell under the administration of the South African Railways and Harbours.

The airline operates one of the most technologically advanced aircraft fleets in the world and offers an exclusive and highly rated product. The vision of SAA is to be an African Airline with Global Reach underpinned by values of safety, valuing its people, customer focused, accountability and integrity.

SAA is one of the leading and most experienced carriers within Africa offering over 20 destinations across the continent, as well as major destinations within South Africa, including its hub, Johannesburg. SAA’s international network creates links to all continents from South Africa through 10 direct routes and 22 code-shares.

Many leading airlines are customers of SAA Technical, the largest and most advanced maintenance provider on the African continent.

SAA’s CEO, Siza Mzimela, was appointed to the IATA Board of directors in 2011. Siza is the first women, in IATA’s 67 year-old history, to be voted into its Board.