South African Airways to return to Perth, and Cathay doubles flights

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS AIRBUS A340-642 ZS-SNF (MSN 547)

Direct flights between Perth (PER/YPPH) Australia and Johannesburg (JNB/FAOR) South Africa look set to return in March 2024, promises a South African Airways executive, as the Star Alliance member works to rebuild its international network.

Speaking in an online webinar to the South African Tourism Services Association earlier this week, as reported by trade outlet TravelNews.co.za, the airline’s General Manager for Sales, Marketing, e-Commerce and Distribution Carla da Silva said SAA hoped to put its Perth schedule online next week, ahead of a March 2024 launch.

There would initially be three flights a week between Perth and Johannesburg, she added. Da Silva said January 2024 would see the arrival of three newly-leased long-range jets which, alongside a possible Airbus A350, would also allow the restart of flights to London and Frankfurt.

Da Silva noted that after being grounded for some 18 months due to bankruptcy during the global pandemic, the carrier resumed a pared-back service in September 2021 and has slowly been adding flights since then, as well as returning to profitability. The airline also remains a Virgin Australia partner.
Qantas has upgraded its Sydney-Johannesburg route from a Boeing 787 to an Airbus A380 from July 2024, although the flights will no longer run on a daily basis.

CATHAY PACIFIC AIRBUS A330-343 B-HLN (MSN 389)

While on Perth, Cathay Pacific is now doubling down on flights between Perth (PER/YPPH) and Hong Kong (HKG/VHHH), increasing connections from three to six per week while also rolling out an aircraft change.

To that end, it’s out with the Airbus A350 and in with the Boeing 777, resulting in an extra two business class flatbeds on every flight, plus a score more premium economy and economy recliners, if that’s where you’ll be for the eight-hour journey.

Taking flight every day except Tuesday, CX140 departs Perth at 12:10am, reaching Hong Kong at 7:45am; the CX171 return leaves Hong Kong at 3:10pm those same six days, arriving into Perth at 10:50pm.