South
Africa is serviced by nearly 70 airlines from all parts
of the globe, compared with the only 20 airlines four
years ago! 
Considering the increased competition on the routes to
South Africa, the country's national carrier, South African
Airways, had to review its own competitiveness to stay
ahead and to remain viable in international airlines market.
The airline had to find some competitive advantage - a
'Unique Selling Point' (USP) - which it found in its own
people. While South African Airways competes with the
cool sophistication of the European carriers and the renowned
efficiency and service-mindedness of the East, it has
the unique advantage of being able to offer South African
hospitality. Most overseas visitors return from a visit
to South Africa not only enamoured with its scenic beauty
but also impressed by the warmth and hospitality of its
people. The airline calls this philosophy 'Ubuntu', a
deeply rooted holistic African philosophy incorporating
genuine hospitality, sharing, generosity, empathy and
humanness. Together, they form the basis for service from
the heart.
"As
the leading International Airline in Africa we have set
ourselves the challenge of offering a new standard in
air travel. A standard which reflects the home-grown hospitality
you will encounter in our country, and which is epitomised
by our corporate promise 'Africa's Warmest Welcome',"
says regional manager (Middle East & Gulf) for South
African Airways. "Professionalism and caring are attributes
that we also consider in our selection of partners, in
the air and on the ground. It is therefore not surprising
that our operation in Dubai (UAE) has been so successful.
Our sponsor and General Sales Agent in the UAE, Sharaf
Travel LLC, have assisted us magnificently in all aspects
since the introduction of direct flights between Dubai
and Johannesburg in November 1993. We have also had tremendous
support from our agents in the Gulf and Middle East. They
have been very successful in promoting South Africa as
an exotic destination at value for money prices," he says.
The
airlines' relentless search for excellence has had its
rewards - South African Airways has been crowned with
many significant awards which include The Golden Globe
Award for 'Best Airline to Africa' and Travel Trade Gazette
Award for 'Top Regional Airline', among others. The Voyager
(Frequent Flyer) programme has been rated as one of the
top five programmes worldwide. The airline has also received
the 'Gulf Africa Duty Free Merit of Distinction' award.
South
African Airways has an extensive network of hotels, restaurants,
car/coach companies and game lodges working with it to
deliver the best that South Africa can offer. It has incorporated
this into its 'Traveller' programme, which is available
through select travel agents and general sales agents
in the UAE and other Gulf states. South African Airways'
"Africa's Warmest Welcome" pioneered air services between
the UAE and South Africa in November 1993, and the volume
of both passenger and cargo traffic has grown so much
that from July 1997, the flight frequency was increased
to a total of seven flights a week between Dubai and Johannesburg.
Currently, four flights are operated by Emirates Airline
on a code-share basis and three by South African Airways.
"This strategic partnership of two customer service-driven
airlines translates into an excellent continuity of on-board
service and professionalism," says an official of SAA.
Furthermore,
South African Airways passengers can avail the advantages
of the airline's expansive network in Africa which offers
connections not only to all domestic destinations including
Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and East London, but
also to regional destinations in the Sub-Saharan continent.
South African Airways offers more flights to more destinations,
more often, on more modern aircraft and in more comfort
than any other airline in Southern Africa.
The
ever-popular resorts, such as the world-famous Sun City
and Kruger National Park, continue to attract a growing
number of tourists from the Middle East - making SAA's
package tours a very attractive proposition for any visitor
to South Africa. South African Airways offers summer vacation
packages to Johannesburg for as little as Dhs 3750 and
Cape Town Dhs 4820 with 2 to 3 nights free stay in well-appointed
hotels. Various other options are also available to meet
specific needs. As a true ambassador of the country, the
airline has reflected the transformations within the country
by choosing a new livery - the orange tail featuring the
well-known flying sprinbok emblem has given way for a
bold design based on the crisp, clean look and vibrant
colours of the new South African national flag. In his
speech during the unveiling ceremony of the new South
African Airways emblem, President Nelson Mandela aptly
summed up the new corporate identity when he said: "South
African Airways will now have the advantage of being a
true flag carrier representing the free spirit of our
colourful and diverse land. The airline will be an ambassador
for our country, carrying the symbols, the hopes and the
aspirations of our nation to the far corners of the globe."
The
World As Reward
ATTRACTIVE
PROMOTIONAL SCHEMES
Voyager,
South African Airways' frequent flyer programme was introduced
in February 1994. Since its inception, Voyager has accrued
more than 450,000 members worldwide. In the United Arab
Emirates, the scheme has attracted approximately 500 members.
Voyager offers the world as reward to people who fly on
South African Airways or make use of their 33 Voyager
partners. Voyager has agreements with distinguished airlines
such as Air New Zealand, American Airlines, Alliance Air,
Ansett Australia, British Midland, Lufthansa, South African
Express, South African Airlink, Scandinavian Airlines
Systems, Thai Airways International.
Apart
from miles earned on these airlines, members can also
earn miles by using various business partners: Avis Rent-A-Car,
Budget, Europcar Interrent, Sixt Budget, Cunard Cruises,
Amari Hotels and Resorts, The Don Executive Apartments,
Forte and Le Meridien Hotels and Resorts, Golden Tulips
Worldwide and Tulip Inns, Hilton Honours Worldwide, Hyatt
Hotels and Resorts, Insignia Resorts, Intercontinental
Hotels and Resorts, The Premier Protea Group, Relais Hotels,
Sabi Sabi Game Reserve, Southern Sun Hotels and Resorts,
Summit International Hotels, Diners Club International,
Nedbank, Rennies Foreign Exchange, Global One Calling
Card and MTN (Cellular telephone network).
Enrolment
is free and each member earns 2,500 bonus miles as a joining
incentive. Application forms are available on board South
African Airways, South African Express Airways and South
African Airlink flights in all South African Airways'
ticket offices, from travel agents and Voyager partners.
All one has to do is ask one or access the Internet on
http://www.saa.co.za. Everybody is entitled to become
a Voyager member-even children.
For
details, call the South African Airways Voyager Service
Centre in Dubai on (9714) 3517766 / 3519913 or
contact your local travel agent.
