Qantas boosts South Africa service

Qantas is to increase services from Sydney to Johannesburg from five to six a week from December 16.

The carrier, which has slashed routes in recent months as the economy plummets and fuel charges soar, says it recognises South Africa as a key business route and will eventually push the service to a daily basis.

Qantas executive general manager John Borghetti said the new
service would be operated by a four-class B747-400 offering first class,
the Skybed sleeper seat in business class, recently-introduced Premium Economy class and economy class.

He added: “South Africa is an important market for Qantas for both business and leisure travel. This new service will add another 350 seats per week, and more than 18,000 seats per year, on the route.”

The new Sydney-Johannesburg return service will operate at the same times as Qantas’ current five-flights-per-week service, departing Sydney at 1030 and arriving in Johannesburg at 1530. The return service departs Johannesburg at 1750 and arrives in Sydney at 1435 plus one day. It will operate on Tuesdays until 27 January 2009 and then on Saturdays from 7 February 2009.

South African Airways will codeshare on all six services.

By Dinah Hatch