SAA considers selling Heathrow landing rights: 'Like selling off the family silver'

John Maytham interviews Guy Leitch, aviation analyst and Editor of SA Flyer.

Listen below. 

Debt-free South African Airways (SAA) is considering selling its landing rights at major international airports, including Heathrow Airport in London, Parliament's financial oversight committee heard on Tuesday.

This follows the collapse of the controversial Takatso deal earlier this year, after three years of negotiation.

Leitch points out that the airline has a significant shortage of long-haul aircraft, describing the situation as 'chronic'.

He emphasises that foreign airlines have undeniably 'eaten SAA's lunch', and selling its rights will only exacerbate it.

"If SAA were to be selling off these stocks with Heathrow, it would be selling off the family silver."

- Guy Leitch, Editor – SA Flyer

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