A new chapter unfolds in the aviation sector as South African Airways (SAA) teams up with SunExpress. The two esteemed airlines have struck a damp lease agreement (In a Damp Lease, the lessor provides the aircraft and maintenance and but not the crew and insurance), enabling SAA to harness the prowess of two SunExpress aircraft for a span of six months, commencing this mid-October.
As a testament to the speed and efficiency of the agreement, the first aircraft of the duo was delivered just yesterday. For those unfamiliar, SunExpress is the brainchild of a collaborative venture between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines. The airline is renowned for having one of the youngest fleets in the European region.
Recognition of the commitment
Their commitment to superior service and innovation has earned them the accolade of Europe’s Best Leisure Airline at the 2023 World Airline Awards. Their consistent performance is further exemplified as they were crowned the World’s Best Leisure Airline at the same awards in 2022.
Diving deeper into the nuances of the damp lease agreement, it entails that while SunExpress will provide the aircraft, maintenance, and cockpit crew, the cabin crew services will be orchestrated by SAA’s team.
This arrangement ensures that SAA’s unparalleled customer service standards remain undisturbed. SunExpress, showcasing their trust in SAA’s technical capabilities, has entrusted SAA Technical (SAAT) with the maintenance of these aircraft. And it’s worth noting that SunExpress will bear the costs for these services during SAA’s operation period.
The synergy power
The synergy between the two airlines is further exemplifies as two Boeing 737-800 aircraft from SunExpress’s fleet are poised to navigate the skies from Johannesburg, representing SAA during their peak demand interval. While the first aircraft will commence its operations in mid-October, the introduction of the second will hinge upon SAA’s capacity demands.
Sharing his insights on this strategic alliance, John Lamola, Chief Executive of SAA, remarked, “This ACMI is a tactical pivot in SAA’s fleet blueprint.
As we channel our energies on deploying our long-term dry-leased four A320s, our collaboration with SunExpress has left us optimistic about the future, especially considering the ebb and flow of passenger traffic in our respective markets.”
Tebogo Tsimane, SAA’s Chief Commercial Officer, reflected on the innovative steps the airline has taken, expressing gratitude towards SAA’s dedicated clientele.
He said, “The adaptability and unwavering support of our loyal customers have been remarkable, especially as we embarked on this new journey of utilising the ACMI fleet acquisition strategy this year. It’s a testament to the trust they place in the SAA brand, even as we experiment and innovate to better serve them.”
This alliance between SAA and SunExpress serves as a beacon of strategic partnerships in the aviation industry. Not only does it allow both airlines to leverage their strengths, but it also paves the way for enhanced customer experience.
With both airlines committed to excellence and customer satisfaction, passengers can anticipate a seamless journey, irrespective of the changes behind the scenes.
