Perth reconnects with Johannesburg as non-stop flights return

South African Airways A340-300 ZS-SXF touches down in Perth. (Image: Perth Airport)

South African Airways (SAA) has returned to Perth with the resumption of a non-stop service from Johannesburg.

Flight SA280 touched down in Perth shortly before 1pm local time on Monday aboard the A340-300 ZS-SXF. The route will initially operate three times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays using 253-seater A340-300 aircraft, with Perth Airport hoping for an eventual daily service.

The route is the 19th direct international link secured by Western Australia since COVID-19 and comes after a four-year absence by SAA from Perth’s skies.

“Perth Airport has had a remarkable partnership with SAA, which has spanned 67 years, and we are incredibly pleased to have them flying to and from our port again,” said Perth Airport CEO Jason Waters.

“The service will initially operate three times per week, delivering 78,936 seats to the Perth market, and we look forward to working closely with South African Airways to return this to a daily service.

“There are a high number of South African ex-pats living in Perth and across WA, so the airline’s return is great news for those with family connections in South Africa as well as those looking to explore all that South Africa has to offer.”

Professor John Lamola, CEO of South African Airways, said the Perth route – SAA’s second international service relaunched after the pandemic, following São Paulo – is a “significant milestone” in the airline’s recovery.

“This is an important route for both SAA and South Africa. Perth has long been a favoured destination for South African travellers. Approximately 80 per cent of our target market travel there regularly to visit family and friends,” he said.

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“The relaunch of this route also means SAA now offers the most direct route across the Southern Hemisphere, from São Paulo to Perth and back through Johannesburg. This opens up South Africa and Australia to tourists and business travellers from Latin America, boosting the regional economies and growing the brands of both countries.”

SAA is a member of Star Alliance and also codeshares with Virgin Australia. No other regular scheduled non-stop services currently operate between Perth and Johannesburg, though Qantas has flown seasonal services and operates a non-stop route between Johannesburg and Sydney using 787-9 Dreamliners.