South African Airways (SAA) has taken delivery of its first two A320s, (MCN 5637 | ZS-SZA) & (MCN 5680 | ZS-SZB), out of a total of twenty A320-200s ordered from Airbus. The development will allow SAA to expand its Sub-Sahara regional route network and boost revenue in the rapidly growing market.  |
| ZS-SZB in Toulouse (Airbus) |
The airline’s A320s, powered by IAE-V2500 engines, feature a two class cabin layout, seating 24 passengers in business class and 114 in economy. As previously announced,
SAA had chosen to renegotiate its deal with Airbus Industrie SAS, signed
11 years ago, in which SAA will lease the aircraft, as opposed to buying
them, thereby allowing it to recuperate pre-delivery payments it made
to purchase them. The leaser has been named as Pembroke Group Ltd, who will acquire the first ten aircraft. The remaining ten's financier is yet to be sourced.
“We are delighted to receive our first two A320 aircraft. Operating a modern and homogenous fleet plays a significant role in cost reduction and boosting revenue,” said Monwabisi Kalawe, SAA’s Chief Executive Officer.
The A320s will replace its present fleet of 737-800s and will augment
the A319s it already has in service and mark the latest phase of SAA’s fleet modernization plan.
