SAA receives first of four A350-900 aircraft

South African Airways (SAA) has received the first of four new Airbus A350-900s as it aims to improve its offering on long haul routes. The aircraft will operate on one of SAA’s ultra-long haul routes between Johannesburg and New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK), replacing the Airbus A340-600 on this route and will still be operated on a nonstop basis. As additional aircraft are introduced, more routes will be operated by the Airbus A350-900s. Zuks Ramasia, SAA’s acting CEO, said: “We welcome the first A350 home on South African soil. The introduction of the A350s offers a new